SAA has reached an agreement with the SAA Pilots Association (SAAPA), which marks another significant milestone towards resuming operations. This follows the in-principle agreement reached on 6 July 2021, with member pilots voting with a significant 94.9% majority, in favour of the agreement during a ballot process which closed on the 11th July.
The airline’s interim CEO Thomas Kgokolo says, “This is a new and important chapter in SAA’s proud history. It has always been our fervent wish that all employees, including all our pilots, become part of the journey as we travel towards new horizons.”
The negotiations have taken more than ten months, and the airline appreciates the spirit of commitment by all parties’ in finding a reasonable solution to the impasse. The agreement sees SAA retaining 88 pilots from the total of 268 remaining pilots.
Kgokolo says, “It is common knowledge that this process has been a difficult one for all concerned especially as SAA is acknowledged by the aviation industry the world over for having outstanding Cockpit Crew. Together with the airline’s board of directors and executive committee, I thank those pilots who will be leaving the airline, for their dedicated service and wish them success in their future endeavours.”
Mr Kgokolo added, “What is most important to me, is that, following a prolonged period of not earning a salary, our pilots will now receive all monies due to them. We have already started the process to make payments that do not require tax directives.”
SAA’s interim CEO says, “Much care, sensitivity and thought has gone into this process, and we have achieved an optimal balance between vital experience required in the cockpit as well as addressing the company’s transformation objectives. Our next step now is to accelerate the last stage of preparation for the airline to return to the skies.”
Source: South African Airways
