Alternative TitleSuid Afrikaanse Lugdiens, Union AirwaysDate Established1934SubjectAirlinesDescriptionSouth African Airways (SAA) is the national flag carrier and largest airline of South Africa. It was founded in 1934 when Union Airways was acquired by the government. It initially also was known by its Afrikaans name, Suid-Afrikaanse Lugdiens (SAL). The airline has gone through many changes and continues to operate present-day.