Dubai – Mubasher: Emirates Airlines on Monday announced that it had no plans to invest in South African Airways (SAA).
South African media said that both Emirates and Etihad Airways were in talks with SAA, regarding a potential partnership, facilitated by the UAE’s embassy in Pretoria.
“We have no plans to invest or take any equity share in SAA or any other airline,” an Emirates spokesperson told Arabian Business on Monday.
Etihad Airways was also reportedly holding separate talks with SAA.
“Etihad Airways does not comment on rumour or speculation,” the UAE-based carrier told Bloomberg on Sunday.
It is worth noting that the SAA has been through a financial crisis and has been unable to post profits since 2011. The South African airline received a government bailout last year to avoid a debt default.
SAA's CEO Vuyani Jarana has said that an "aviation investor" could save the airline, Bloomberg reported on Sunday.
The Dubai carrier noted that it would continue with its current codeshare partnership with SAA, denying any intentions for investment.
The UAE has pledged to pump AED 36.73 billion ($10 billion) in investments in South Africa during a visit by the country’s President Cyril Ramaphosa.
