SAA looks set to strengthen its regional network, focusing on local and African operations. The airline would not reveal any details about the routes but recent applications for extra flights to destinations SAA already serves hint at the carrier’s plans.
According to the Government Gazettes published between the end of August and early September, SAA applied for three flights a week to Luanda, one a week to both Kinshasa and Dar es Salaam and three a week to Harare.
Routes getting the biggest boost include Mauritius, to which it has applied for a further five flights a week and Windhoek with seven flights a week. 

Carla da Silva, Regional Manager of Air Mauritius for Southern Africa and Latin America, says demand on flights between South Africa and Mauritius exists during peak times and that there has been an increase in corporate demand following retail, banking and IT investments in Mauritius.

Chris Zweigenthal, CEO of Aasa, says the regional air travel market is not necessarily stronger than international markets for South African travellers. “In many cases the international markets are far more developed and there is great competition on these markets.  The regional air travel market continues to develop and, in some cases, probably provides better returns for local and regional airlines than international airlines.” 
Zweigenthal adds that expansion of the network of services offered in Africa is essential to grow the aviation, travel and tourism industry on the continent. With regard to the routes SAA has specifically applied for additional flights on, Zweigenthal says: “They are attractive to all airlines entitled to serve these destinations. These markets are already very competitive and are also currently served by the states’ home-based carriers.”
As part of its new Longterm Turnaround Strategy, SAA mentioned that it would be reviewing its global network to eliminate loss-making routes. The future of some of its international routes is still unclear.