Desparate to fill a gap until the A340’s arrived in 2001 SAA enter into an agreement with British Midland to sub-lease three Airbus A330-200. This saw SAA becoming the first African airline to operate the A330-200. Only one of these aircraft was repainted in full SAA colours, the other two kept their BMI colours.The following year two more aircraft were aquired on short-term lease from TAM Brasil, while these aircraft wore SAA titles on the forward fueslage they never wore full SAA livery, and spent only 6 months with SAA. By June 2004 all aircraft were returned to owners.
None of these aircraft carried a South African registration.
| Registration | Delivery Date | Current Status |
| G-WWBB | 1/12/2002 | Active with other carrier |
| G-WWBD | 1/12/2002 | Active with other carrier |
| G-WWBM | 16/12/2002 | Active with other carrier |
| PT-MVA | 20/12/2003 | Active with other carrier |
| PT-MVB | 1/11/2003 | Active with other carrier |
South African Airways - A Complete History 