SAA gives assurance over job cuts

SOUTH AFRICAN Airways (SAA) has given its assurance that further job cuts are not planned in the immediate future despite oil prices having hit record levels over the past week. In January the airline invited 602 managers to accept voluntary redundancy packages in a bid to cut costs. According to figures quoted by Reuters, close to 20% of the managers applied for voluntary retrenchment, but only about 10% will be allowed to leave the airline, with the remainder deemed to have critical skills. Chief executive Khaya Ngqula has said that the airline will give itself six months before considering any further job cuts.