The future economic impact of South African Airways
Commissioned by South African Airways
Discover South African Airways’ growing impact on South Africa’s economy, with contributions to GDP, job creation, and government revenue projected to rise significantly by 2029/30.
This study, commissioned by South African Airways (SAA), explores how the SAA Group’s projected growth will benefit South Africa’s economy. SAA’s operations generate value through direct contributions, supply chain spending, and wage-driven consumption. By facilitating international trade and transporting tourists to South Africa, SAA generates significant additional economic value, enhancing its overall economic contribution and supporting South Africa’s global integration.
As SAA expands its flight network over the medium term, the Group’s impact on South Africa’s economy is set to expand substantially.
Our projections show SAA’s contribution to GDP rising from R9.1 billion in 2023/24 to R32.6 billion by 2029/30, with supported jobs growing from 25,200 to 86,700. Expanded global connectivity, meanwhile, will amplify productivity, trade, and investment, supporting sustainable long-term growth.
The experts behind the research
Our Africa Consulting team include specialists in quantitative economic analysis, working with clients around the globe and across sectors to build models, forecast markets and evaluate interventions using state-of-the art techniques. Lead consultants on this project were:
Cobus de Hart
Head: Africa Consulting, Africa Consulting
Marietha Jacobs
Senior Econometrician, Macro Consulting
Greg Struyweg
Economist, Africa Consulting
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