Johannesburg (AFP)

The South African airline South African Airways (SAA), heavily indebted, announced Tuesday that it was canceling ten domestic flights and one international flight in order to rationalize its services and economy.

A procedure to save the company was launched in December to avoid the bankruptcy of the public group, unable to pay full wages in November following a strike.

Ten domestic flights between Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban were abolished, as well as the direct link between Johannesburg and Munich.

Passengers on canceled domestic flights will be able to travel on cheaper sister Mango flights. Passengers on the international flight will transit through Frankfurt and London Heathrow Airport.

"These decisions are in accordance with SAA's usual policy of reviewing flights and rationalizing its services," the company said in a statement.

"In addition, during the ongoing backup process, these cancellations are a responsible strategy for conserving cash and optimizing the position of the company before any additional investment," she adds.

Additional flight changes could take place in the coming days, says SAA.

As part of the backup procedure announced in December, the company, which has recorded no profit since 2011, must receive 4 billion rand (248 million euros, 273 million dollars), half of the share of the state and the other half of lending organizations.

The government is still looking for "a solution to finance the company," South African Finance Minister Tito Mboweni said at a press conference last week.

Local media reported that SAA was selling nine old Airbus aircraft to build a new fleet.

Second African company after Ethiopian Airlines, South African Airways has been going through very serious turbulence for years. It has a debt of around 9.2 billion rand (570 million euros) and survives on public money.

It employs around 5,200 people and its fifty aircraft serve some 35 national and international destinations.

© 2020 AFP