SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS has taken delivery of the first of nine new Airbus A340-600s marking the commencement of a 41 aircraft, 10-year total fleet modernisation programme. The deal comprises nine A340-600s, six of the new A340-300, 15 single-aisle A319 and 11 A320 twin-engined aircraft for use on African routes. These will be delivered between 2005 and 2010. When it puts the two class A340-600 into service later this month, SAA will become the first airline in the Southern Hemisphere and in Africa to operate the ultra-long range, high capacity aircraft. The A340-600 will enable SAA to operate direct non-stop flights over distances of almost 14 000km/7,500nm. This aircraft is the first of three to be delivered in the first quarter of 2003 to replace 747s, which the airline has used since 1971. http://www.flysaa.com