SAA Pilots’ strike cancels flights and deepens financial crisis

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Cape Town, South Africa – South African Airways (SAA) has cancelled international flights to Perth and São Paulo following a pilots’ strike led by the South African Airways Pilots Association (SAAPA) after salary negotiations reached a stalemate. Domestic and regional operations continue under limited contingency plans.

Pilots reduced their initial salary demand from a 30% to a 15.7% increase, while SAA offered 8.46%. Interim CEO John Lamola warned that meeting the pilots’ demands could push the airline into bankruptcy, with daily losses estimated between R40 million and R60 million.

Over 10,000 passengers have been affected, facing delays, refunds, and challenges with rebooking. International routes, which account for 12% of the airline’s monthly revenue, have been hit the hardest.

The strike comes at a critical time, coinciding with the start of the peak holiday travel season. It follows a history of disruptions, such as the 2019 strike, which cost the airline R50 million per day. Despite these challenges, SAA insists it remains operational and is working to minimise passenger inconvenience.

The ongoing strike poses a serious threat to the airline’s financial stability, already under strain. A swift resolution is critical to avoiding irreversible damage to customer trust and the company’s long-term viability.