South African Airways (SAA) pilots have suspended their strike, which began on December 5, 2024, following successful negotiations between SAA Executive Management and the South African Airways Pilots Association (SAAPA).
The dispute started with SAAPA’s demand for a 30% salary increase, which was later revised to 15.7%, including associated benefits.
In response, SAA initially offered an 8.46% pay increase backdated to April. After further negotiations, SAA raised its offer to a 9.47% increase.
On the first day of the strike, Thursday, SAA operated 51% of its planned flights, including just 33% of its international routes.
However, by Saturday afternoon, more than 100 pilots were expected to return to their duties, and SAA was on track to restore a full flight schedule by Sunday, December 8, 2024.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

South African Airways pilots were on strike for more pay, but they stopped the strike after reaching a deal with the airline. The pilots wanted a 30% raise, then settled for 15.7%. The airline initially offered 8.46%, but increased it to 9.47%. During the strike, only 51% of flights were running. Over 100 pilots returned to work, and all flights were expected to be back to normal by Sunday. The dispute was resolved, and flights are back to normal.

South African Airways Pilots Return To Work After Salary Dispute Resolved

Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife plans to attach South African Airways (SAA) assets for allegedly owing US$2.4 million in unpaid fees, despite the Zimbabwean government owing the airline $59 million in blocked funds, reported <a href="https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/national/2024-10-22-breaking-news-saa-optimistic-it-can-resolve-impasse-after-zimbabwe-attaches-assets/">BusinessDay</a>.
According to the report, about US$62 million in revenue earned by SAA in Zimbabwe has been blocked since 2016 due to foreign exchange repatriation challenges.
SAA has been negotiating with the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) and its finance and economic development department to unblock the funds.
SAA claims it has already paid US$877,435 towards the debt but Zimbabwe’s environment ministry proceeded with legal action and obtained a court order for US$1.6 million.
The ministry obtained a writ of execution against SAA’s property in Zimbabwe on October 8, 2024.
According to SAA, this is despite a senior Zimbabwe official having agreed in a phone conversation with CEO John Lamola to an offset approach.
The South African airliner views the ministry’s actions as malicious and disruptive, proposing that the debt be offset against the blocked funds. Said Lamola:
<blockquote>
The conduct of the Ministry of Environment in Zimbabwe is contrary to the letter and spirit of our protracted engagements, first with the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and later with the Ministry of Finance, on collecting the major debt of around R1bn due to SAA.
Our doors of engagement remain open. We are optimistic that an amicable solution to the current impasse will be found, and that Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Environment will desist from its threatened action against SAA’s operations in Zimbabwe.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe wants to take South African Airways assets because they owe money. Even though Zimbabwe owes SAA more money, they still want the debt paid. SAA's revenue in Zimbabwe has been stuck since 2018. SAA has paid some money but Zimbabwe wants more. The Ministry of Environment in Zimbabwe took legal action to get the money. SAA thinks this is unfair and wants to talk to find a solution. They are still hopeful that they can settle the issue without losing their assets in Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe Threatens To Attach South African Airways Assets

South African Airways (SAA) says it will increase flight frequency on the Johannesburg-Harare route from 10 to 12 flights per week with effect from November 5, 2024.
In a Press statement on Friday, SAA country manager, Julia Rewayi, said this is in response to rising demand from travellers between the two cities. Reads the statement:
<blockquote>
South African Airways (SAA) is pleased to announce that it has increased the number of flights between Harare and Johannesburg from 10 to 12 frequencies per week, with effect from 5 November 2024, to cater for the growing demand.
SAA customers will have the option of two additional flights from Harare to Johannesburg.
Harare flight details:
<ul>
<li>SA25 departs Harare at 07h20, arriving in Johannesburg at 09h00 (Monday to Friday)</li>
<li>SA23 departs Harare at 12h25, arriving in Johannesburg at 14h05 (Daily)</li>
</ul>
Johannesburg flight details:
<ul>
<li>SA22 departs Johannesburg at 10h00, arriving in Harare at 11h35 (Daily)</li>
<li>SA24 departs Johannesburg at 20h10 arriving in Harare at 21h45 (Sunday to Thursday)</li>
</ul>
The increased frequency is part of SAA’s densification strategy to meet customer demand in the African region, an important area for SAA’s growth strategy.
The increased demand is driven mainly by Zimbabwean expatriates, tourism and increased trade between the two countries.
This trend is expected to grow in the coming years as the political environment stabilises in Zimbabwe.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

South African Airways is adding more flights between Harare and Johannesburg because more people want to travel between the two cities. Starting November 5, 2024, there will be 12 flights per week instead of 10. This is good news for customers who now have more options for when to fly. The increase is because of more Zimbabweans living abroad, tourists, and more trade between the countries. As Zimbabwe becomes more stable politically, more people are expected to travel between the two cities in the future.

South African Airways Increases Flights Between Harare And Johannesburg

South African Airways (SAA) has introduced new routes in the region as part of its post-COVID-19 restart operations.
The airline launched flights to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, Windhoek in Namibia, as well as a flight to Gqeberha from OR Tambo International Airport.
SAA commenced flights to Windhoek on 8 December, with two flights scheduled per day for seven days a week.
The airliner’s flights to Victoria Falls started on Wednesday and flights will be available six days a week, excluding Saturdays.
Flights will leave Johannesburg at 10:15, with the estimated arrival at Victoria Falls International Airport being at 12:25.
Return flights will leave Victoria Falls at 13:10 each afternoon arriving in Johannesburg at 14:50.
SAA has also increased frequencies to Harare in order to accommodate customers ahead of the festive season, from seven to 10 flights a week.
SAA’s Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer, Professor John Lamola said:
<blockquote>
In pursuit of this drive to please our customers, we are relentlessly working on expanding the network of destinations we serve, to enhance seamless travel connectivity.
Our new routes along with increased frequencies to our regional destinations represent the second phase of our post-Covid restart operations.
</blockquote>
| <a href="https://vicfallslive.co.zw/south-african-airways-saa-relaunches-its-route-to-victoria-falls/">VicFallsLive</a>

South African Airways Relaunches Its Route To Victoria Falls

The wait is finally over. In just under a month, the striking and familiar livery of South African Airways (SAA) will once again be visible in the skies as the airline resumes operations.
The carrier has confirmed the first flights will commence on Thursday, 23 of September 2021. Tickets will go on sale on Thursday, 26 August 2021.
Voyager bookings and Travel Credit Voucher redemption will be available from Monday, 6 September 2021.
Interim CEO Thomas Kgokolo says, “After months of diligent work, we are delighted that SAA is resuming service and we look forward to welcoming on board our loyal passengers and flying the South African flag. We continue to be a safe carrier and adhering to COVID-19 protocols.”
SAA will as an initial phase operate flights from Johannesburg to Cape Town, Accra, Kinshasa, Harare, Lusaka and Maputo.
More destinations will be added to the route network as it ramps up operations in response to market conditions.
Kgokolo added, “there is a profound feeling of enthusiasm within Team SAA as we prepare for takeoff, with one common purpose – to rebuild and sustain a profitable airline that once again takes a leadership role among local, continental, and international airlines.”
Notes Kgokolo, “The aviation sector is currently going through a testing period, and we are aware of the tough challenges that lie ahead in the coming weeks.
We thank South Africa for the support we have received in getting us to where we are today. As we are now poised for takeoff, we see this as a major milestone for SAA and the country.”
According to the chairman of the SAA’s Board, John Lamola, since the national carrier came out of business rescue at the end of April 2021, the Department of Public Enterprises together with the Board and the Management team have been seized with planning for the relaunching of a restructured and fit for purpose airline that South Africans can again be proud of. “The airline is restarting with a formidable business case”, says Lamola.
South African Airways (SAA)
<h3>More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h3>

South African Airways To Resume Flights In September

The South African Airways might not recover from the COVID -19 pandemic as the South African government has refused to give the airline an additional R10 Billion rescue package it is expending to other businesses, SABC News reports.
According to the publication:
<blockquote>Economists say the time has come to shut down State Owned Enterprises that are bleeding the coffers and are not profitable. SAA business rescue practitioners have given the entire workforce notice to terminate their employment by the end of April. This was after Government declined to give the airline additional 10 billion funding requested to finalise the business rescue process.</blockquote>
SAA is not the only airline that has been affected by the pandemic, other global airlines are reportedly reeling from the effects of the shutdown imposed in many countries due to the pandemic.
Watch the SABC video below;
<div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" loading="lazy" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3Dk4rEhO0JQ?feature=oembed" title="Is it the end of the road for SAA?" width="640"></iframe></div>

SAA Might Shut Down As The SA Govt Declines To Give The Airline An Additional R10 Billion Rescue Package - Report

The union representing striking SAA workers have warned SAA passengers that their safety may be compromised because the airline has temporarily dispatched interns and temporary technicians who have no experience to fly their aircraft in a bid to control the damage caused by the strike.
National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) spokesperson, Phakamile Hlubi-Majola warned the public not to use SAA especially during the strike by saying:
<blockquote>We are warning all passengers not to fly SAA because your safety is not guaranteed. Our members who are safety officers and technicians are on strike. We are warning the public that if they fly SAA during this strike they are putting their lives at risk. We ask the Civil Aviation Authority how they can allow such a situation to exist by deliberately placing the lives of the public at risk.</blockquote>
The SAA workers staged an industrial action against their bosses last week and since then the airline has been doing damage control including<a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2019/11/18/watch-saas-chief-commercial-officer-apologises-to-passengers-for-the-strike/"> apologising to passengers</a> and <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2019/11/16/watch-impact-of-saa-strike-london-and-washington/">booking them on other airlines or giving them a full</a> refund.
More:  <a href="https://www.zbc.co.zw/striking-unions-warn-saa-passengers-over-safety/">ZBC</a>

Striking SAA Workers' Union Warns SAA Passengers, Says Their Safety Is Compromised

The South African national flag-carrier has apologised to its passengers for the ongoing industrial action that might have affected some of them. Watch the video below.
<div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" loading="lazy" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YB15wKlJ4z8?feature=oembed" title="SAA strike | SAA apologises to passengers" width="640"></iframe></div>

WATCH: SAA's Chief Commercial Officer Apologises To Passengers For The Strike

The ongoing South African Airways Strike has affected some and left some stuck on foreign airports according to various sources. Watch the videos below:
<div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" loading="lazy" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MYS9d1QziRM?feature=oembed" title="SAA strike | Impact of strike - London" width="640"></iframe></div>
 
<div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" loading="lazy" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Zk-7yLBe9aE?feature=oembed" title="SAA strike | Impact of strike - Washington" width="640"></iframe></div>

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