World Cup Buzz Provides South African Airways With Traffic Boost CheapOair Staff July 13, 2010 general As the celebrating continues throughout Spain, South African Airways is also popping the cork on a few champagne bottles in delight as the airline revealed interest in flying to South Africa looks to be remaining strong. SAA said they fully expect booking traffic to stay high well into 2011 as the World Cup's worldwide media attention has given South Africa a healthy tourism boost. July and August are already booked solid for the airline and the remainder of 2010 is looking busy as well. A spokesman for South African Airways believes many waited to visit South Africa until the World Cup ended to see how well the ad campaign went. Since it was considered highly successful, many people are now making plans to visit the country. Thousands of international travelers flocked to the various World Cup matches between June 11 and July 11 without any disruption to South African Airways' service. Many business class customers were able to enjoy the all new SAA airport lounges in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg when making the trek. SAA is not only feeling the love from customers, but the airline industry awarded the carrier as the leading airline in Africa for the eight consecutive year at this years WTA awards. South African Airways said they are serious about taking advantage of the World Cup buzz and will continue pushing the country as a must-visit destination.