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A map of Imperial Airways routes in 1935. Flights of Imperial Airways flew from Cape Town up over-land via Johannesburg and other African cities to Cairo and Europe, and also to Asia and Australia, all mostly over-land flights. South Africas collaboration with Imperial Airlines gave rise to South African Airways eventually
A brief history of South African Airways (SAA)
South African Airways, one of the World’s oldest Airlines, was formed on 1 February 1934, unbelievably only 30 years after the Wright Brothers had made their first powered flight on 17 December 1903. Commercial flight was definitely an idea whose time had come!
SAA was formed on 1 February 1934 following the acquisition of Union Airways, a small airmail delivery service. Union Airways was the first South African commercial airline and operated as an independent company between 1929 and 1934, before being taken over by the South African government. Upon acquisition, the South African government changed the airline's name to South African Airways (SAA) and the airline was placed under the control of the South African Railways and Harbours Administration.
A famous Boeing
The Boeing 747-244B ZS-SAN ‘Lebombo’ is somewhat locally and globally famous. On 24 June 1995, the pilots wowed 63 000 rugby spectators as the aircraft swooped low over Ellis Park Stadium at the Rugby World Cup final between South Africa and New Zealand, bearing the message, Good Luck Bokke, beneath her wings.
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