Once the custodian of Africa's largest airline title, SAA has faded into the shadows as Ethiopian Airlines has embarked on a growth trajectory over the past decade. Now, Vuyani Jarana, an industry outsider with 22 years experience as a telecoms veteran, has the task of rebuilding the brand and once more establishing SAA among the pride of African airline.
He knows he faces a challenge, but during an in-depth interview at this week's IATA AGM in Sydney, Australia he outlined how SAA is working to return to profitably. Talking to CAPA TV about new aircraft, how culture is key to change, technology, rebalancing capacity to meet demand, managing demand across market segments, he highlights how he is working to deliver an organisational restructuring "fit for future, fit for growth".