SAA to Implement New Strategy

According to News24, South African Airways has briefed the country’s members of parliament at the public enterprises portfolio committee about presenting a turnaround plan at the end of next month, which might involve cutting some flight routes. SAA board acting chairperson Dudu Myeni said that this would be the ninth plan developed by the airline in 13 years, after discovering that there were eight strategies that were developed but never implemented. SAA's new board is 'hard at work' finalising a new plan, which will be presented to the government on either 28 March or 2 April. Myeni described the 20-year plan as "cutting-edge", and vowed it would be more successful than its predecessors, because "it will be developed and owned by our own people". Responding to questions about why the latest plan would be more credible than previous ones, SAA Acting CEO Nico Bezuidenhout said the latest "holistic" strategy aimed to achieve "sustainable" business and will take the best elements of the previous ones. SAA is also set to take "a very hard look" at the routes it flies. Bezuidenhout also called for changes to SAA's fleet. According to its 2011/12 annual report, the carrier operates 53 aircraft. "If we have the wrong tools for the job, we're not going to make it,” he said. “Our long-haul fleet will not be profitable unless we adapt and change our fleet."

Avis Announces Coach Charter Acquisition

Avis Rent a Car has announced the acquisition of the Avis Coach Charter operation as a corporate business, effective from October 2011.

The coach charter company started as a licensee operation in 2008. Avis Southern Africa Chief Executive, Keith Rankin, says “Avis Rent a Car now owns 75% of the company, with former licensee Nobbie Marais owning the remaining 25%.”

Marais, who has 28 years of experience in the business, will remain on board as general manager of Avis Coach Charter. Rankin says with the Coach Charter operation being a strategic part of Avis’ Total Transport Solution, the car rental company decided to purchase a shareholding in the organisation with a view to facilitating growth and taking service delivery to a new level.