The national airline has been grounded for over a year due to financial difficulties and after being placed in business rescue.

The airline survived for years on government bailouts until it was recently privatised.

It will start with three return flights per day between the two cities.

Flights are also set to start in five African capitals - Accra, Kinshasa, Harare, Lusaka, and Maputo.

In a statement, SAA’s Interim CEO Thomas Kgokolo says the journey back to the skies is a significant one for all South Africans.

 “This week is a proud and significant one for SAA and its staff as well as all South African citizens. 

"Our journey back to the skies has not been easy and I pay tribute to our dedicated workforce in all areas of the business, all of whom have and are putting in long hours ahead of this day. 

"People in every facet of the business want nothing more than for SAA to succeed and for us to build a new airline based on safety and exemplary customer service,” says Kgokolo.

He adds the national airline is returning with a new vision.

 “We restart this business with a new vision of pride in the brand and one that has been inculcated into every staff member. 

"Our first order of business is to service our start-up routes efficiently and profitably and then look to expanding the network and growing our fleet, all depending on demand and market conditions."

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