SAA Pilots Strike Continues – South African Airways (SAA) has confirmed that the strike by the South African Airways Pilots Association (SAAPA) will proceed as planned on December 5, 2024. This industrial action comes after failed wage negotiations, with SAAPA demanding a substantial 30% pay increase, while SAA has only proposed an 8.46% raise retroactive to April 2024.

SAA Affected Flights and Travel Advisory

The strike will disrupt all SAA-operated flights along major domestic and regional routes. The most affected routes include:

Johannesburg (JNB) to/from Cape Town (CPT)
Johannesburg (JNB) to/from Durban (DUR)
Johannesburg (JNB) to/from Gqeberha (PLZ)
Johannesburg (JNB) to/from Windhoek (WDH)
Johannesburg (JNB) to/from Mauritius (MRU)

Travellers are advised to expect busier-than-usual airports as many passengers scramble to find alternative flights. Flight Centre recommends allowing extra time for travel and remaining flexible with travel plans.

SAA issued a travel advisory urging customers booked on affected flights to consider re-accommodation to the next available SAA service. If passengers prefer not to be rescheduled, they can choose a different date within the same cabin class. Agents are advised to maintain clear communication, as passenger contact details may be listed under their details rather than the agent’s.

The Wage Dispute: Background and Stalemate

The wage dispute dates back to May 2024, when SAAPA initially demanded a 30% salary increase, which was later reduced to 15.7% plus benefits. SAA, however, maintained its stance with an 8.46% increase, citing it as a fair offer benchmarked against international salary trends and the general increases in South Africa. Interim SAA CEO, Professor John Lamola, expressed disappointment over the strike in a statement, emphasising the efforts made by the airline to resolve the issue.

Lamola also highlighted the irony that the strike begins on the fifth anniversary of SAA’s business rescue in 2019 and pointed out the airline’s recent strides toward operational stability following its emergence from business rescue in 2021. He warned that agreeing to SAAPA’s demands would risk pushing SAA into bankruptcy, undoing the progress made since its rescue.

SAA Pilots Strike: Response to the Pilots’ Demands

Lamola conveyed that while SAA remains committed to continued discussions to reach a fair solution, the pilots’ demands are unsustainable. He noted that returning to pre-business rescue salary benefits would compromise the airline’s financial health. He reiterated that SAA’s current offer aligns with the increases granted to other staff members in June 2024 and international standards.

The strike is a reminder of SAA’s delicate financial position and its need to balance fair treatment of employees with the broader goal of long-term viability. As the situation unfolds, SAA continues to prepare its contingency plans and will keep its customers and the travel industry informed.

Potential Impact on Passengers and the Industry

Passengers should remain vigilant and check for updates on their flight statuses. The potential for further disruptions looms, especially with unconfirmed reports suggesting that cabin crew may join the strike in solidarity. This could lead to significant operational setbacks for SAA and increased demand for alternative travel options.

In the meantime, SAA urges affected agents to manage bookings proactively and communicate effectively with their clients to minimise inconvenience. The resolution of this strike is essential for SAA to maintain its hard-won stability and serve its customers efficiently in the future.

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