SAA now charging £202 to carry firearm from UK to Eastern Cape - write to persuade them to drop charges

[tusker]

Have been doing some homework and Ethiopian Airways are very competitive with prices, also no charge for firearms.
Tusker

 

[jon 12]

Just had clients come back yesterday and they were not charged it as their flights were booked last year. Not sure that is a given though!!

After reading this I have contacted South Africa Airways, customer service at Heathrow, they confirmed that anyone booked prior to the 15th may 2019 will be allowed to carry firearms and ammunition free of charge. They have sent new flight details stating this confirming, via email.

 

[Dickie]

I flew a few weeks ago with Virgin with rifle and ammo to SA they were very good and it was hassle free at both ends going and coming.

 

[Safari Hunter]

Update... Just booked flights for a client and the charges are now $65 International each way and $25 internal each way. So at todays rate £144 ish. It wouldn't surprise me if they change them again.
Cheers
Adrian

 

[Koenig]

Update... Just booked flights for a client and the charges are now $65 International each way and $25 internal each way. So at todays rate £144 ish. It wouldn't surprise me if they change them again.
Cheers
Adrian

A,

Just to be clear, was that with SA or Virgin?

 

[Safari Hunter]

South African Airlines. Virgin charge per piece of luggage so if you take hand carry only your firearm will go free. If have have hold luggage firearm is classed as extra so Virgin charge £65.

 

[tusker]

Just paid for return flights Heathrow to Windhoek with Ethiopian £590 no extra charge for firearms.
Tusker

 

[Koenig]

Thanks for that Tusker. Looks like it’ll be Virgin or Ethiopian in future. SAA can keep their flights and I’ll keep my £. As an aside what are Ethiopian like? I am thinking of taking the family to Kenya for a safari and Ethiopian are coming up well price wise..just don’t know much about them.

 

[tusker]

Thanks for that Tusker. Looks like it’ll be Virgin or Ethiopian in future. SAA can keep their flights and I’ll keep my £. As an aside what are Ethiopian like? I am thinking of taking the family to Kenya for a safari and Ethiopian are coming up well price wise..just don’t know much about them.

This will be the first time but a couple of chaps on here have used them and not had a problem.
Tusker

 

[XYZ]

Just paid for return flights Heathrow to Windhoek with Ethiopian £590 no extra charge for firearms.
Tusker

Is that direct or via another country?

 

[tusker]

Is that direct or via another country?

Via Addis Ababa.
Tusker

 

[Dickie]

I’ve flown twice to SA with virgin and not had to pay any extra even after the security at Heathrow insisted the ammo had to go as separate luggage so I had an extra piece of hold luggage

 

[Sika98k]

I’ve flown with Ethiopian Airlines 3 times now down to Namibia. There’s a bit of faffing about checking serial numbers of your firearms in Addis in the bowels of baggage handling. Just make sure you have all your ducks in a row regarding paperwork. The information is all available on their website.

 

[MJ75]

Just paid for return flights Heathrow to Windhoek with Ethiopian £590 no extra charge for firearms.
Tusker

Thanks for the heads up. That's certainly very good value for money to Windhoek.