South African Express Airways SOC Ltd, known as South African Express or simply SA Express, was a state-owned airline based in South Africa that started operations on 24 April 1994, but had to cease operations on 28 April 2020. Although the airline was operationally independent of South African Airways, its flights were incorporated within the strategic alliance with South African Airways. The airline had its head office at Airways Park, Jones Road, next to O.R. Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, Gauteng.
A former SA Express Bombardier Dash 8-Q300 in old colors
SA Express Bombardier CRJ200
SA Express Bombardier Q400
South African Airways (SAA) is the flag carrier of South Africa. Founded in 1934, the airline is headquartered in Airways Park at O. R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg and operates a hub-and-spoke network, serving ten destinations in Africa. The carrier joined Star Alliance in April 2006, making it the first African carrier to sign with one of the three major airline alliances.
SAA started operations with a number of acquired Union Airways aircraft, including the Junkers F.13, similar to the one pictured.
The Douglas DC-4 Skymaster was introduced in May 1946, on which SAA's first in-flight films were shown. This aircraft, registration ZS-AUB, is in Berlin (May 2000).
SAA Lockheed Constellation arriving at Heathrow in 1953.
An SAA Boeing 707 sits alongside a BOAC Vickers VC10 at London Heathrow Airport (1977).
