SAA to help repatriate foreign nationals
South African Airways (SAA) will operate charter flights to various countries to repatriate tourists, foreign workers and students stranded in South Africa.
The flag carrier says several governments have approached its business rescue practitioners (BRPs) to help repatriate their citizens following the nationwide lockdown and suspension of flights in and out of the country.
"These engagements have required the consideration, approval and support of the South African government to implement and taking into account the amended regulations issued by the Department of Transport yesterday," SAA said in a statement on Thursday.
"Following the engagements with various embassies and in consultation with the relevant government departments, SAA has agreed to provide repatriation charter flights to various international destinations."
SAA says the first of these chartered flights will see the repatriation of a group of Germans.
"They are expected to operate from Friday, 3 April 2020 from Johannesburg to Munich and Cape Town to Frankfurt. The BRPs have confirmed that negotiations are ongoing with other governments for the repatriation of their citizens."
The airline says the flights will not transport any individual who has tested positive for Covid-19 and are not medical evacuation flights.
"All passengers would be subject to the screening protocols prior to departure as required by the South African authorities and SAA's policies. Any passengers that present flu-like symptoms will not be allowed on any of these flights."
Germany to evacuate over 1000 nationals from cruise ship in Cape Town
The 1700 passengers and crew have not been able to disembark the cruise liner since Monday, following the discovery that some of the passengers had come into contact with someone who showed symptoms of the coronavirus. Spokesperson for the Department of Transport, Ayanda Allie Paine, says the German government dispatched four chartered aircraft for the rescue.