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Etihad Airlines. (Photo: Getty Images)
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- Etihad Airways has decided to suspend its operations in South Africa as part of an “ongoing review of network performance”.
- The besieged The Abu Dhabi-based airline says its flights to and from South Africa will be suspended until the end of March.
- But according to a report, local employees claim their contracts have been terminated.
- For more articles, visit www.BusinessInsider.co.za.
Etihad Airways, which has operated flights to and from South Africa since 2005, will suspend its flights between Johannesburg and Abu Dhabi at the end of the year.
“As part of an ongoing network performance review, Etihad Airways has suspended its flights from Abu Dhabi to Johannesburg until March 28, 2021,” confirmed the Abu Dhabi-based airline’s head of corporate communication, Michael. Campbell. “The decision to suspend the route is commercial and a direct consequence of the impact of COVID-19 on the global demand for travel and tourism.”
Campbell declined to comment on a report in Travel News that claims the airline has terminated its employment contracts with local personnel, suggesting a more indefinite departure.
South African Airways (SAA) signed major deals with Etihad between 2013 and 2015, including a controversial codeshare deal, which reportedly cost the national carrier R100 million, and shared routes to Abu Dhabi. SAA’s codeshare agreement and direct flights to Abu Dhabi only lasted one year.
And as SAA grapples with its own dire financial situation, Etihad’s own battle to stay afloat and reliance on Abu Dhabi government bailouts came to a head just months before the global coronavirus pandemic decimated international travel. . With losses of more than R80 billion in the past five years, Etihad has been forced to reassess its global positioning.
After months of operational inactivity, Etihad made the difficult decision to reduce its flight routes, with South Africa first in the line of fire.
Passengers who have booked flights with Etihad have been instructed to contact the airline directly.
According to an industry-wide statement on the closure of Etihad’s South African office, Egypt Air is likely to absorb existing reserves via Cairo. This offer will not apply to groups, redemption or free tickets (FOC).
According to Travel News, South Africa-based Etihad employees have complained about pay cuts that have progressed through contract terminations, raising concerns about the airline’s operational capabilities in 2021.
Compiled by Luke Daniel.
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