South African Airways (SAA) pilots have embarked on a protest outside the airline’s Airways Park offices in Kempton Park, demanding a 15.7% salary increase along with additional benefits.
In response, SAA management has offered an 8.46% increase, stating that it cannot meet the pilots’ demands without jeopardizing the company’s financial stability.
Management warned that agreeing to the proposed wage hike could undermine the airline’s recent recovery and potentially push it back toward bankruptcy.
SAA emerged from business rescue between 2019 and 2021 and has since achieved debt-free status.
This year, the airline reported its first profit in more than a decade, marking a significant turnaround in its financial performance.
The pilots argue that during the airline’s financial struggles, they endured severe pay cuts, stagnant wages, and deteriorating working conditions.
They believe their demands are justified, given the sacrifices they made during SAA’s turbulent period.
Despite the disagreement, both parties have expressed a commitment to finding a fair and mutually beneficial resolution.
In the meantime, SAA has implemented contingency plans to minimise disruptions to its operations during the protest.
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