South African Airways' future is in jeopardy as its government cuts funding. Here's a look back at the 86-year-old national airline.

Thomas PalliniMay 5, 2020, 19:20 IST

A South African Airways Airbus A350South African Airways

South African Airways will no longer receive government funding, putting its future in jeopardy.
Rescuers tasked with providing options for the airline moving forward have said that a shutdown is inevitable, FlightGlobal reported.
The South African government has also stated its intention to form a new airline, according to Reuters.
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South African Airways is on the brink of disappearance after years of financial struggles.

The long-suffering carrier has been denied further state funding and, as FlightGlobal reported, business rescuers entrusted with the difficult task of rescuing the 86-year-old airline have given it two options: liquidation or a wind-down and sale process. Either way, South African Airways will, without intervention, no longer remain in operation.

It was always going to be a tumultuous road for the state-owned enterprise mired in crippling debts, the COVID-19 pandemic undoubtedly sped up the airline's impending collapse. The most recent setback for the airline came as South Africa greatly restricted international travel after enacting drastic measures in order to stay afloat in the last year including slashing nearly all domestic routes within the country.

While tthe arrival of the Airbus A350-900 XWB, which debuted on the Johannesburg-New York route in January, looked like it may have marked the beginning of a new era for the carrier, South Africa may lose its airline less than six months from the plane's debut.

Take a look at how South African arrived at what is likely the end of its journey.

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Without intervention from either the government or a private buyer willing to keep the airline going, South African Airways is likely to disappear from the skies for good.

A South African Airways Airbus A350-900 XWB. Sumaya Hisham/Reuters

Without intervention from either the government or a private buyer willing to keep the airline going, South African Airways is likely to disappear from the skies for good.

South Africa's government, which has been incrementally providing relief, however, ultimately pulled the plug in April.

A South African Airways Airbus A340-600. Fabrizio Gandolfo/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty

With the new aircraft in the air and flying passengers, the hope was that South African might have a plan to save itself from collapse.

A South African Airways Airbus A350-900 XWB. South African Airways

The swanky new aircraft would be ideal for the ultra-long-haul routes that South African planned to use them for.

A South African Airways Airbus A350-900 XWB. South African Airways

Despite being in the midst of restructuring, South African leased a new aircraft, the Airbus A350-900 XWB, which ultimately launched on the Johannesburg-New York route in January.

A South African Airways Airbus A350-900 XWB. South African Airways

Despite being in the midst of restructuring, South African leased a new aircraft, the Airbus A350-900 XWB, which ultimately launched on the Johannesburg-New York route in January.

Its new-found praise and acceptance, however, couldn't replace the financial woes of the airline. In 2019, South African entered the equivalent of bankruptcy protection and began restructuring after racking up nearly $3 billion in debt.

South African Airways employees protest during the airline's bankruptcy. Siyabonga Sishi/Reuters

Its new-found praise and acceptance, however, couldn't replace the financial woes of the airline. In 2019, South African entered the equivalent of bankruptcy protection and began restructuring after racking up nearly $3 billion in debt.

South African was later brought into organizations to which it had been denied including the International Civil Aviation Organization and joined the Star Alliance.

South African Airways joined Star Alliance in 2006. SIPHIWE SIBEKO/Reuters

And A340-600.

A South African Airways Airbus A340-600 aircraft. Bruce Bennett/Getty

The 2000s saw South African undergo a fleet renewal where most of its long-haul Boeing jets were retired in favor of European-built Airbus planes. The new long-haul flagships became the Airbus A330…

A South African Airways Airbus A330 aircraft. SUMAYA HISHAM/Reuters

The 2000s saw South African undergo a fleet renewal where most of its long-haul Boeing jets were retired in favor of European-built Airbus planes. The new long-haul flagships became the Airbus A330…

The decade also saw the airline win the title of Africa's leading airline from 1994 on to 2015. The 1990s, however, also saw the airline begin its financial losing streak.

South African Airways aircraft. William F. Campbell/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty

The decade also saw the airline win the title of Africa's leading airline from 1994 on to 2015. The 1990s, however, also saw the airline begin its financial losing streak.

One of the most notable displays of the new airline came in 1995 during the Rugby World Cups when a South African Airways Boeing 747 did a flyover of the stadium with "Good Luck Bokke," a nickname for the South African team, painted on the belly. The feat was repeated multiple times in later years by other airlines.

An aircraft flyover at a 2013 Springboks vs All Blacks rugby match, David Rogers/Getty

One of the most notable displays of the new airline came in 1995 during the Rugby World Cups when a South African Airways Boeing 747 did a flyover of the stadium with "Good Luck Bokke," a nickname for the South African team, painted on the belly. The feat was repeated multiple times in later years by other airlines.

When apartheid ended in the 1990s, South African was allowed to grow its route network once again and the airline no longer needed to fly the long, costly routes to avoid some nations.

A South African Airways Airbus A320 aircraft. Rogan Ward/Reuters

When apartheid ended in the 1990s, South African was allowed to grow its route network once again and the airline no longer needed to fly the long, costly routes to avoid some nations.

The 1980s then saw turbulence for the carrier as Western nations adopted sanctions against South Africa for its apartheid policies. Flights to the US and Australia were revoked in addition to the countries that had barred South African's flights.

Australian protests against South Africa's apartheid policy. Robert Pearce/Fairfax Media/Getty

The 1980s then saw turbulence for the carrier as Western nations adopted sanctions against South Africa for its apartheid policies. Flights to the US and Australia were revoked in addition to the countries that had barred South African's flights.