South African Airways is grappling with a pilot strike that began on Thursday, 5 December 2024, marking the fifth anniversary of the airline’s placement into business rescue in 2019.
Story Summary:
- South African Airways (SAA) warns of additional flight cancellations this weekend as the pilot strike continues.
- Negotiations between SAA and the South African Airline Pilots Association (SAAPA) remain deadlocked over salary disputes.
- Passengers are advised to monitor updates and make use of rebooking options to minimise disruptions.
Negotiations deadlocked: Why pilots are on strike
The South African Airline Pilots Association (SAAPA) initiated the strike after months of wage negotiations failed to yield an agreement.
SAA has offered an 8.46% salary increase backdated to April 2024, while SAAPA is holding firm at 15.7%, a reduction from its initial demand of 30% in May.
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Interim CEO Professor John Lamola emphasised the financial constraints facing the airline, saying:
“Acceding to SAAPA’s current demand for a 15.7% wage increase will trigger SAA’s decline into bankruptcy.”
SAA argues its offer reflects broader salary trends in South Africa and international benchmarks, but SAAPA contends it is insufficient given pilots’ contributions to the airline’s modest profitability.
What passengers need to know
With the strike now in its second day, SAA has hinted at further cancellations this weekend.
Passengers are advised to:
- Regularly check the SAA website or contact customer service for real-time updates on flight statuses.
- Explore rebooking options or request full refunds for cancelled flights.
- Ensure contact information is updated to receive timely notifications.
Affected passengers have been offered alternative travel arrangements, including accommodations on partner airlines where possible
SAA has assured customers that not all pilots are participating in the strike, allowing the airline to maintain limited operations.
However, the situation poses significant challenges, particularly during the busy December travel season.
Professor Lamola acknowledged the strain on operations, stating:
“We are committed to ensuring that all passengers reach their destinations despite the challenges posed by a limited schedule.”
The strike has reignited discussions about SAA’s long-term financial health. Having emerged from business rescue in 2021, the airline has since reported modest profits, but it remains under pressure to achieve sustainable growth without state bailouts.
As negotiations continue, passengers are encouraged to plan for potential disruptions over the weekend while SAA works to minimise the impact on its services.
