Johannesburg – The South African Airways (SAA) pilots’ strike has officially ended, enabling flights to resume after their unions secured a conditional agreement concerning the wage increase dispute.
The strike, which began on Thursday, 5 December 2024, resulted in the cancellation of more than half of SAA’s flights, mainly affecting international routes.
However, reports on Saturday morning, 7 November 2024, indicated that the unions, specifically the South African Airways Pilots Association (SAAPA) and the National Transport Movement Pilots Forum (NTM-PF), had reached a conditional agreement with SAA management to address the pilots’ demands.
In a statement released on X, SAA management confirmed the lifting of the strike, stating, “We are pleased to inform that the pilots’ strike, which started on 5 December 2024, has been suspended as of 02:00 this morning.”
The statement went on to explain: “This resolution has come after productive negotiations between SAA Executive Management and the South African Airways Pilots Association (SAAPA).
“Management has proposed an additional 1% salary increase, raising the total to 9.47% for SAA pilots.
CEO Professor John Lamola remarked, “As part of the agreement that resolved the wage negotiation impasse, conversations regarding a continuous enterprise improvement program will take place over the next eight weeks.
“We are committed to implementing work-life enhancements that will boost the productivity of our esteemed pilots.”
Professor Lamola estimated that SAA would return to a full flight schedule by Sunday, 8 December 2024, with over 100 pilots expected to resume work by 12:00 today, 7 December 2024.
“SAA extends its heartfelt gratitude to our valued customers for their patience, understanding, and support during this challenging time,” he stated.
Customers are urged to visit the SAA website www.flysaa.com and follow the airline’s social media platforms for updates on the flight schedule.
See post on X: https://twitter.com/flysaa/status/1865306601537573024
Long queues were noted at SAA counters at OR Tambo International Airport on Saturday morning.
The strike was initiated following unsuccessful wage negotiations.
Initially, SAAPA sought a 30% salary hike, which was later adjusted to 15.7% along with related benefits.
In contrast, SAA offered an 8.46% increase retroactive to April 2024.
“SAA’s final wage proposal, presented to SAAPA on 24 September 2024, is significantly higher than the average salary increases in South Africa for 2024,” the airline’s management stated.
The airline further emphasized that its final offer was in line with international pilot salary adjustments and matched what was awarded to other SAA staff in June 2024.
Due to the deadlock in negotiations, pilots affiliated with SAAPA began the strike, leading to a cancellation of 60% of SAA flights, primarily on international routes.
In a related update earlier this week, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni announced: “For the first time since 2012, SAA has reported a net profit of R252 million for the 2022/23 financial year, with group revenue increasing from R2 billion to R5.7 billion.
“Remarkably, SAA achieved this milestone while operating with only six to eight aircraft across nine destinations at the start of the 2022/23 financial year,”
Ntshavheni, discussing the outcomes of the latest Cabinet meeting, indicated that SAA has doubled its fleet, launched intercontinental routes, and expanded its network to 16 destinations.
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