SOUTH AFRICA: President Zuma receives the first of the six new Airbus jets

Record ID: 452338

  • Title: SOUTH AFRICA: President Zuma receives the first of the six new Airbus jets
  • Date: 9th February 2011
  • Summary: CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA (FEBRUARY 08, 2011) (REUTERS -ACCESS ALL) ( * BEWARE FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY **) NEW AIRBUS A330-200S LANDING AT THE AIRPORT AIRBUS A330-200S BEING TOWED ON RUNWAY BY ANOTHER VEHICLE VARIOUS OF A330-200S AIRBUS BEING SPRAYED BY A CEREMONIAL CANNON AIR HOSTESSES APPLAUDING MORE OF PLANE SPRAYED BY ACEREMONIAL CANNON AIRBUS PLANE IN HANGAR ZUMA AND CHAIRMAN OF SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS (SAA) CHERYL CAROLUS CUTTING THE RIBBON PILOT WAVING FROM AIRPLANE WINDOW ZUMA AT PODIUM (SOUNDBITE) (English) JACOB ZUMA, SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT SAYING: "Our gathering marks the arrival of the first of a fleet that is set to change and improve the way we fly." GUESTS LISTENING (SOUNDBITE) (English) JACOB ZUMA, SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT SAYING: "More importantly, it marks a bold leap forward by South African Airways to utilize advancements in technology to access markets and opportunities to destinations once deemed unreachable." SAA AIR HOSTESSES POSING FOR PHOTOS PRESIDENT JACOB ZUMA AND OFFICIALS
  • Embargoed: 24th February 2011 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: South Africa, South Africa
  • Country: South Africa
  • Topics: Industry,Transport
  • Reuters ID: LVAY9YM8SLD06CVW5MO4KKLLI0L
  • Story Text: President Jacob Zuma receives the first of the six new Airbus A330-200s long -range jetliners as part of the national carriers fleet renewal project and to meet burgeoning demand.
    President Jacob Zuma has on Tuesday (February 08) received a new airbus as it touched down in Cape Town.
    The new A330-200 will replace six ageing A340-200 long-range jetliners as part of the national carrier's fleet renewal project.
    The A330-200 long range jetliner is the first of six new aircraft being added to the South African Airways (SAA's) fleet.
    Zuma told the media transport is a key instrument to keep in touch with the continent and to boost inter-Africa trade.
    "Our gathering marks the arrival of the first of a fleet that is set to change and improve the way we fly." said Zuma at a ceremony held at the Cape Town International Airport.
    Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba and South African Airways (SAA) CEO Siza Mzimela were in Toulouse, France, on Monday at the company's assembly line to take delivery of the aircraft for the national carrier.
    SAA says the new planes will enable the State-owned enterprise to respond to the demands of a growing and competitive market.
    SAA will take delivery of another four A330-200s this year, and one in early 2012. The airline will operate an all-Airbus fleet from 2015.
    Zuma added that South Africans will definitely enjoy the facilities in the new aircraft and said the A330-200 uses less fuel than the model it replaces. He said that will help to reduce the country's carbon footprint and move towards a greener economy.
    "More importantly, it marks a bold leap forward by South African Airways to utilize advancements in technology to access markets and opportunities to destinations once deemed unreachable." said Zuma.
    The A330 is one of the most widely used widebody aircraft in service, with Airbus turning out eight a month, which it will increase to nine a month next year and ten a month by 2013.
    The newly leased SAA plane will seat 222 passengers with 36 in business class and 186 in economy class.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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