Page 52 - Aviation News (February 2020)

South African Airways

Wings of the Rainbow Nationngs of the Rainbow Nation
Wi

Jozef Mols outlines the history of South African Airways

and asks if a new restructuring plan will solve its problems.

he airline can trace its history back SWAA, which naturally operated a fl eet of South African Airways and fell under the
91 years to when Union Airways their own types. control of the Railways and Harbours
of South Africa was set up in 1929 In 1932, SWAA amalgamated with administration (now Transnet). Newly
Tby World War One ace Maj Allister Union Airways but continued to operate established SAA honoured the order for
Miller, fi nanced by the Atlantic Refi ning under its own name. Nevertheless, Union the Junkers Ju 52/3ms; the aircraft were
Company. The name ‘Union Airways’ Airways would obtain many German-built delivered in October 1934 and entered
referred to the o cial name of the country Junkers aircraft from SWAA, including two service on several domestic routes soon
at that time: the Union of South Africa. A50s, one F 13 and several W 34s. Maj afterwards. From July the following year, a
Miller received a government subsidy to Miller also placed an order for three Ju weekly Rand-Kimberley-Beaufort West-
carry mail but by September 1929 also 52/3m trimotors. Cape Town service began, followed in April
started up a passenger service between Political decisions would conspire 1936 by SAA taking over the Rand-Cape
domestic destinations with a fl eet of fi ve against the company, however. When Town services from Imperial Airways. A
DH.60 Gipsy Moths, a single Fokker Super the South African government granted a fourth Ju 52/3m joined the fl eet and before
Universal and two DH.80 Puss Moths. licence to the South African Railways and long, as SAA started spreading its wings, it
In 1931, the Fokker and the Gipsy Harbours Administration to carry airmail, placed orders for a further ten Ju 52s along
Moths all crashed and were replaced by Union Airways became unprofi table. The with 18 Ju 86s and seven Airspeed Envoys
aircraft obtained from South West African South African government took over (four for the airline and three for the South
Airways. SWAA was the fi rst commercial the assets and liabilities of the airline on African Air Force). The airline experienced
air operator in South West Africa (now February 1, 1934. This included 40 sta a rapid expansion and opened several
Namibia), which was administered by members and a fl eet of three Junkers F new domestic services, as well as routes
South Africa after World War One under a 13s, one DH.60 Gypsy Moth, one DH.80A to Namibia. During the delivery period of
mandate from the League of Nations. The Puss Moth and a leased Junkers F 13 and the Ju 86s SAA was short of aircraft to
German Junkers aircraft company formed Junkers A 50. The airline was renamed operate all the new routes and the three

50 AVIATION NEWS FEBRUARY 2020

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