Pilot Strike
By Thabo Mokoena, Central News
A collapse in wage talks between South African Airways (SAA) and pilots from the South African Airways Pilots Association (SAAPA) and the National Transport Movement (NTM) Pilot Forum has sparked a “work-to-rule” industrial action, threatening the airline’s operations and its fragile financial recovery. The standoff, which kicked off on Wednesday, 19 March 2025, follows months of failed negotiations over pilot salaries, with SAA battling high costs and economic headwinds. As South Africa’s flag carrier scrambles to keep flights on track, passengers are bracing for potential disruptions.
Wage Dispute Triggers Industrial Action
The trouble began brewing in May 2024 when pilots demanded a 30% salary increase to keep up with rising living costs and to match pay at rival airlines. After months of back-and-forth, they lowered their demand to 15.7%, but SAA’s counter-offer of 8.46%—backdated to April 2024—fell short. With no deal in sight, pilots launched their “work-to-rule” campaign on Wednesday, sticking strictly to contract terms in a move that slows operations without a full strike.
“SAA continues to navigate significant financial pressures, operating within a challenging environment marked by elevated fuel prices, a weakened rand, intense competition, and ongoing productivity and labour cost hurdles,” said SAA spokesperson Vimla Maistry. She acknowledged the tough spot the airline’s in but insisted that “SAA is fully committed to reaching an agreement and will continue negotiating with the pilot body.” Maistry also promised open communication to tackle “all reasonable outstanding issues.”
SAA’s Response: Contingency Plans in Play
SAA’s new interim CEO, Professor John Lamola, stepped into the fray with assurances that the airline is prepared. “We have implemented strong contingency measures to minimize the impact of this industrial action,” Lamola said. “Our focus remains on ensuring uninterrupted service and providing real-time updates on flight statuses to all stakeholders.” He emphasized that safety and reliability remain top priorities, adding, “Our priority is to resolve outstanding issues collaboratively while maintaining service continuity and minimising inconvenience to our valued customers while upholding the highest standards of safety and operational reliability.”
But the impact on flights remains unclear. While a “work-to-rule” action doesn’t halt operations outright, it can cause delays and strain schedules—especially risky as the festive season looms.
A Fragile Recovery Under Threat
SAA’s no stranger to turbulence. After years of losses, the airline posted a R252 million profit for 2022-23—its first since 2012—thanks to a government bailout and a leaner operation post-2019 business rescue. Yet, that recovery is shaky. A December 2024 strike saw flights to Perth and São Paulo axed (Reuters, 5 December 2024), costing millions and denting confidence. This latest action could undo more progress.
Pilots argue they’re underpaid compared to peers elsewhere. “We’re not fat cats,” one told The Citizen during the 2024 strike. “Pilots have spent millions on education… and we’re responsible for passengers’ lives.” They’re also pushing for management changes, claiming current leaders can’t sustain SAA’s turnaround.
Passengers and Economy in the Balance
For travelers, the timing couldn’t be worse. “I had a flight booked for a family holiday,” said Cape Town teacher Lerato Nkosi. “Now I’m worried it’ll be delayed—or worse.” Social media’s abuzz with similar gripes, echoing the chaos of past SAA strikes. In 2019, a week-long walkout cost R50 million daily, forcing a R10 billion bailout (De Rebus, 31 August 2020).
The ripple effects hit hard. SAA connects South Africa to the world, supporting tourism and trade. A prolonged dispute could tarnish its reputation and deepen financial woes, especially with fuel prices soaring and the rand at R18.50 to the dollar (as of March 2025).
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