South African Airways Pilots Strike for Higher Salaries

Unionized pilots at South African Airways (SAA) have launched a nationwide strike demanding higher salaries, beginning on December 5, 2024, at 07:00 local time. The strike, organized by the SAA Pilots Association (SAAPA), has led to disruptions in some of the airline’s international operations.

Pilots were seen protesting outside SAA’s office at OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg. As a result of the strike announcement, SAA canceled flights to Perth, Australia, and São Paulo, Brazil, on December 4, 2024. Khaya Buthelezi, SAA’s Senior Manager of Corporate Relations, confirmed the cancellations, explaining that the airline could not secure alternative routes with partner airlines. “It became clear that those two routes must be canceled,” Buthelezi told Reuters.

However, domestic flights and routes within Africa were not immediately impacted. The airline had made contingency plans to maintain operations within the region, and there were no disruptions reported early on December 5, 2024.

The strike comes after failed wage negotiations between the airline and the pilots’ union. Initially, the union demanded a 30% salary increase, which was later lowered to 15.7%, along with additional benefits. In response, SAA offered an 8.46% wage increase. According to the airline’s December 3, 2024, press release, its wage proposal was “significantly higher than the general salary increases in South Africa in 2024.”

John Lamola, CEO of South African Airways, stated that while the airline has reported a “modest profit,” it is not in a financially robust position and cannot afford the requested salary increase. “SAA cannot return to the lucrative benefits that SAA pilots have historically enjoyed,” Lamola explained. He added that acceding to SAAPA’s demand for a 15.7% wage increase could push the airline into bankruptcy. Lamola also noted the symbolic timing of the strike, which occurred on the fifth anniversary of SAA being placed under business rescue in 2019.

Despite the ongoing strike, SAA management has expressed its commitment to avoiding further disruptions during the critical December holiday season. In a December 3 statement, the airline emphasized its efforts to prevent a strike and minimize disruptions to operations.

The strike has created uncertainty for passengers, especially those with international bookings. While the airline is working to manage its domestic and regional services, the status of future international flights remains unclear. Currently, there is no official end date for the strike.

This labor dispute highlights the ongoing financial challenges faced by South African Airways, which continues to recover from past financial difficulties. The airline’s management remains focused on navigating the crisis while balancing the needs of its workforce and maintaining operations during a peak travel period.

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