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

[zambezi]

SAA have, this week, introduced charges for the carriage of firearms. Perhaps if enough of us write to explain why we will not use SAA [or prioritise other safari destinations] then they may reconsider. Obviously they think they will net more revenue with the new charge. I believe the opposite to be true. They need to understand that their business decision stands on flawed logic. That customers will walk.

SAA customer services email address: SAAcustomerservice@flysaa.com


I sent this email yesterday:


"SAA

You have been my carrier of preference to SA for decades. Good service, fair pricing, reliable.

In recent years I have also spent a great deal of money on safari in South Africa. For example, my Buffalo safari in Limpopo in March 2019 benefitted a very large number of people on that farm, the associated outfitters, tax revenues to the government, etc.

Historically SAA participated in South Africa's attractiveness to hunters by making firearm carriage easy and free. By taking that away you reduce SAA's and SA's attractiveness by a notch. Nothing separates SAA from other carriers now, and other destinations are to be considered.

I will be on safari in Namibia in November. That was already planned. What your new tax achieves is to help me decide whether to fly SAA via JNB or not. Looks like Qatar is now my best option. Cash coming to SAA? Zero."


SAA charges for firearm carriage is posted on their website here: Special Baggage

Summary:

 

[Fabnosh]

Morning

I think that perhaps your assertion that the UK African hunting fraternity have significant voting rights in informing SAA's firearms carriage policy fails to recognise the international scale of the SAA operation and indeed what a small part of that operation is directly related to the hunting community in general and the UK hunting market specifically. Ultimately though, if we don't have the numbers that SAA have used for the business case, it's all just conjecture. I certainly appreciate the irritation factor associated with this as indeed many will, but I would also suggest that given the socio-economic grouping that most international hunters sit in they will just shrug this off and go for convenience over cost. It's a harsh world but I don't think the the US or wider European market will even notice this when it's rolled into their overall ticket tariff when they are spending $10,000 for a Buff hunt.

The real acid test for these things is how vocal the outfitter/PH community are getting as they are at the sharp end of any perceived revenue reduction that this might drive; they seem largely silent. Additionally, if you want to get to the policy maker I wouldn't suggest using the generic customer service email. Pop something directly to their chief strategic officer Mr Josua Du Plessis

Thanks

FN

 

[NullMac]

Why shouldn't they? Everyone I have flow a firearm with has charged me, and this pricing doesn't seem unreasonable.

 

[zambezi]

Why shouldn't they? Everyone I have flow a firearm with has charged me, and this pricing doesn't seem unreasonable.

When I fly with a rifle, I do not also take a suitcase. It is, if you will, the sum of my hold baggage. If it weighs less than the standard passenger allowance and its dimensions are not problematic, then this is a tax on the activity I am doing, not a reasonable carriage tariff.

I think that perhaps your assertion that the UK African hunting fraternity have significant voting rights in informing SAA's firearms carriage policy fails to recognise the international scale of the SAA operation and indeed what a small part of that operation is directly related to the hunting community

For every flight I have made to South Africa as a hunter, I have made 10 - 15 others for family vists or other tourism. How they treat me as a hunter informs my decisions regarding carrier choice for other types of trips. Time will tell if this is a mistake or not.

I am not a wealthy hunter. I am burning lifetime savings to enjoy trips whilst I still have the vigour to do that. £202 added to a £500 flight is a huge price ratchet. It makes other carriers more attractive. And if we see cartel behaviour on routes to South Africa, it will make other destinations more attractive.

 

[artschool]

well that's an easy one. SAA fares were attractive because of the free firearms.

now they will be similar to the other carriers who undoubtedly have much better planes and better levels of service.

 

[CarlW]

Firearms are a nuisance for an airline. They turn an automated process into a manual one. That costs money (but probably not as much as the price hike ). Irritating, as I like SAA.

 

[NoIDeer]

Getting from Jo'burg to Eastern Cape with firearms might be interesting? Most internal airlines don't allow firearms and the other option is BA!

 

[zambezi]

Getting from Jo'burg to Eastern Cape with firearms might be interesting?

Per Fabnosh above: Outfitters/PHs/PHASA have yet to comment on this price hike in any volume. If they start to lose trade because folk do not fly to the Eastern Cape, that will change.

 

[devon deer stalker]

Having had plenty of experience dealing with Delta going to the states you are onto a losing game asking SA to reconsider, as said above, its a minute part of their business.
I have decided if/when I go back I won't take a firearm, its just not worth the cost or the hassle.
I'm in the fortunate position that I have made some good friends across the pond and I can borrow a rifle.
I assume the outfitters can lend you a firearm for the trip?
Cheers
Richard

 

[tusker]

Why shouldn't they? Everyone I have flow a firearm with has charged me, and this pricing doesn't seem unreasonable.

15 years I have been traveling with firearms and I have rarely paid extra exept for Easyjet and one other that escapes me.
tusker

 

[ljs]

So heres my take , I have contacted SAA and yes its definitely true …...am I bothered financially NO I can afford it ….. am I frustrated YES ,why target sporting firearms ,
are they charging extra for golf clubs NO or other sporting equipment NO ...… I agree a small fee should be applied to all sporting goods carried in transit as its additional bags etc but it should be a global sporting goods fee not targeting firearms , what about canoe's , hockey sticks or cricket equipment who cares its a bag !!!!
may be saa need to explain why this has been applied and justify ,they also need to realise the revenue from hunters/observers not the additional revenue ,sorry its a good airline but money talks and as we know they are struggling and soon will be probably run by the government …...

 

[Hanechdene]

SAA, though are charging for firearms, are not including sports equipment in your baggage allowance as previously still making them more attractive than British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.

 

[ljs]

So I just spoke directly with saa and the system has completely changed , where as they used to swallow g4 security charges they now don’t and have passed the charge on .... but that’s not the end ..... you need to now inform them of rifle serial number calibre etc at the point of booking which is then sent through system to get prior authorisation on your booking ( no time frame was given on this ) . This was always processed automatically on the old system when you checked rifles on the day of departure ,automatic emails were generated to all airports of travel , so now they have to have more notice , I wonder what they will have in place for people that do not know and the confusion it will cause if you just turn up ( guessing there will be a charge applied at check in ).current charge for a rifle from Heathrow to Windhoek so 2 flights is 160 US dollars each way total 320 dollars . Guessing it had to come sooner or later , the manager I spoke with said it has created a lot of internal work for saa booking agents

 

[zambezi]

...(SAA's) system has completely changed , where as they used to swallow g4 security charges they now don’t and have passed the charge on ....

I understand that part: SAA previously absorbed the landside security cost as they knew (a) it made them carrier of choice for many and (b) it made South Africa a more attractive destination for hunters. Terminating that incentive is an SAA business choice which may backfire.

...the manager I spoke with said it has created a lot of internal work for saa booking agents

But I do not get this bit. Identifying a firearm amounts to one or two extra fields on a booking form, surely? If the existing system efficiently distributes information collected at boarding time, how can it be more laborious to distribute data collected weeks before by a few keystrokes added to a reservation? I imagine it would take longer to explain the difference between celiac and vegan food requirements.

Methinks there is some flannel in the SAA position.

 

[Bushwack]

well that's an easy one. SAA fares were attractive because of the free firearms.

now they will be similar to the other carriers who undoubtedly have much better planes and better levels of service.

and they don't make money on the local PE / East London flights. Flights are already reduced

 

[Bushwack]

Per Fabnosh above: Outfitters/PHs/PHASA have yet to comment on this price hike in any volume. If they start to lose trade because folk do not fly to the Eastern Cape, that will change.

I don't think so...this is Africa

 

[zambezi]

I don't think so...this is Africa

Today I finalised bookings for my next safari. To Namibia. I am flying with KLM.

As a consumer, I get to make choices on where I spend my money. SAA's decision co-authored part of that selection. Only time will tell if the revenues SAA/SA make via their new regime offset those lost by consumer haemmorage.

 

[devon deer stalker]

So, it's a simple question, why can't you use the PH rifle?
Is it illegal?
Just seems a simple solution to me.

Cheers
Richard

 

[Sharpie]

Firearms and ammunition have to be handled differently from ordinary hold baggage, and accounted for (not just lost) I don't know what that involves, but I'm sure it is extra work.

I don't see why the majority of ordinary passengers should be expected to subsidise that so that a few can benefit for free. Times are tight for all airlines, so I don't see it as unreasonable to apply an extra charge.

When I take my skis and boots around Europe I pay extra too, sometimes it's easier to travel light and rent at the destination.

 

[tusker]

Firearms and ammunition have to be handled differently from ordinary hold baggage, and accounted for (not just lost) I don't know what that involves, but I'm sure it is extra work.

I don't see why the majority of ordinary passengers should be expected to subsidise that so that a few can benefit for free. Times are tight for all airlines, so I don't see it as unreasonable to apply an extra charge.

When I take my skis and boots around Europe I pay extra too, sometimes it's easier to travel light and rent at the destination.

I have no problem with a charge its just the size of it that is unfair. For exsample when we travel to Windhoek all bags rifles ex., only get handled from one aircraft to another so no paperwork or extra effort involved but there will still be a £50 charge for that part of the journey.
Tusker