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Springbok | Airbus A319/A320 | 2011-present



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Springbok | Airbus A319/A320 | 2011-present

The A320 family is the mainstray of the Springbok fleet, with 36 in operation, split between 17 A319s and 19 A320s, flying all across Africa as well as operating trunk domestic routes. The first A319 was delivered in 2011, introducing the new branding of the company. The order, placed in 2008, came as a big surprise, considering Springbok was a loyal Boeing customer and was operating new 737-800s since 2001. While the airline had announced it was looking for a smaller aircraft to expand, most expected it to go for the 737-700, however Airbus offered a deal Springbok couldn't turn down.

Satisfied with the A319's performance, Springbok followed up at the 2012 Farnborough Airshow with an order for 19 A320s, this time aimed to replace the 737s. They were delivered between 2015 and 2017. However, not wanting to let such a young fleet go, Springbok kept the second batch of 11 737-800s, delivered between 2005 and 2006, and created a low-cost subsidiary to better-compete in the evolving South African market. The remaining 18 737s, delivered from 2001 to 2003, were swiftly sold on to new customers, providing the airline, which at the time was losing money, with some much-welcome cash that helped it set its profitability plan in motion.

ZS-FSL was the first A319 delivered to Springbok, arriving at Johannesburg in the early hours of August 16th, 2011. That morning, the new Springbok livery was officially revealed at an airport hangar to employees, to much enthusiasm and celebration of the upcoming new era for the company. It is configured with 12 Business Class and 108 Economy Class seats.

ZS-GPG is the 14th A320 delivered to Springbok in November 2016, entering service on the 20th of the month. It was the first newly-delivered aircraft to be based at the airline's newly formed Cape Town hub, with its first revenue service also acting as the inaugural Cape Town-Mauritius flight for the company.



    Nice. :)

    Cute!

    Neat little design

    Thanks yall! :D

    When you realize that SAA's first 737-800 was delivered in 2001, that they had been a Boeing customer before, and that they replaced the 737s with A319s and A320s, that they sold the first batch of 737s to other airlines (Safair), and that they gave the rest to its low-cost subsidiary (Mango)...

    Other than that, really, really nice. It's great to see a South African airline open a Cape Town hub too!

    When you realize that SAA's first 737-800 was delivered in 2001, that they had been a Boeing customer before, and that they replaced the 737s with A319s and A320s, that they sold the first batch of 737s to other airlines (Safair), and that they gave the rest to its low-cost subsidiary (Mango)...

    Other than that, really, really nice. It's great to see a South African airline open a Cape Town hub too!

    Yeah 

    I wish SAA was still a boeing airline

    Miss their 747

    Real life registration equivalents:

    Top: ZS-SFD, originally delivered on Aug 24, 2004 (just over 16 years ago). The aircraft was passed over to Fastjet Tanzania in Oct 2014, having served SAA for over a decade.

    Bottom: ZS-SZE, originally delivered on Jun 24, 2014. The aircraft was returned to its lessor last month.