Boeing 737-800 Will Leave South African Airways

ZS-SJC, South African Airways’s first Boeing 737-800 aircraft

The Boeing 737-800 is the backbone of regional and domestic routes for South African Airways, the national airline of South Africa. Now, South African Airways has eight Boeing 737-800 aircraft in its fleet. The first aircraft, ZS-SJC was delivered to the airline on 30 June 2000. The last Boeing 737-800 aircraft, ZS-SJV was delivered to the airline on 13 November 2003 (based on www.airfleets.net). This aircraft type was ordered by South African Airways to replace its aging Boeing 737-200 aircraft.

But, after nearly sixteen years serving South African Airlines' domestic and regional passengers, the airline announced if they have to retire all the Boeing 737-800 aircraft from its fleet, and will replace them with Airbus A320 series and Airbus A330-300 to expand its fleet. Now, South African Airways made an order for five Airbus A330-300 aircraft for its high-density routes. But, if the airline retires all its Boeing 737-800, it means the airline will operate all-Airbus fleet and no Boeings again in South African Airways' fleet.