5.2 Economic contributions by SAA SAA played a key role in the economy, and the contribution included the following: . SAA contributed R23.4 billion to GDP (in addition to the R50.9 billion in other sectors). . SAA created 116 000 tourism jobs (in addition to the 227 000 created in other sectors). . SAA carried approximately 50% of inbound passengers, and as a result made a contribution to GDP of R11.7 billion and supported 58 000 South African jobs.