VA partnership with SA Airlink and SA Express ending

[HeavyElectricity]

Looks like more bad partnership/alliance news I'm afraid...

Changes to our partnership with South African Airways

We are making changes to our partnership with South African Airways. From 12 June 2018 Velocity members will no longer earn or redeem Velocity Points and Status Credits, or receive other benefits when travelling on flights operated by SA Express and Airlink.

These changes will affect South African Airways marketed flights numbered

• SA 8000 – 8999 operated by Airlink
• SA 1000 - 1999 operated SA Express

Any bookings made prior to 12 June 2018 will continue to be eligible for Velocity Points and Status Credit earn.

Also as an article over on Australian Business Traveller:
Virgin Australia dials back South African airline partnerships

It was nice to be able to access the lounge in Cape Town before my flight on SA Express to Hoedspruit in 2016, and although I received nothing worthwhile in points, the 15 status credits CPT-HDS and 20 status credits HDS-JNB were very welcome. A shame to see it ending.

 

[Must...Fly!]

No doubt linked to SAA's financial problems.

 

[HeavyElectricity]

And now I wonder if it could at all be related to this (maybe there were rumours of it happening?):

Entire South African Express Fleet Grounded Over Safety Concerns - One Mile at a Time