South African Airways’ (SAA) plans to resume operations remain on track, with an initial focus on cargo flights before introducing a full passenger service.
This is according to a statement from the airline that progress has been made following its business rescue in April.
Interim CEO Thomas Kgokolo confirmed that compliance documentation had been submitted to the Civil Aviation Authority, and once evaluated and passed, SAA would be ready for take-off under a renewed licence. He’s hoping this process will be completed in a week or two.
Kgokolo has said that running parallel to this process has been a mandatory retraining programme for pilots which has now been completed. He also said that government’s decision to revert to a Level 3 Covid-19 lockdown had made the process of flight resumption easier. “At this time, we are meeting with all our key role players, putting into place final touch-ups, and I’m hoping we can make an announcement on the passenger front within the coming weeks,” he said.
“Mango Airlines will go into business rescue and is receiving top priority, with intense consultations under way with all key stakeholders,” the statement read.
“Both SAA’s Board and executives are aware that June and July salaries have not been paid to Mango staff, and this is receiving urgent attention. The funds gazetted for SAA subsidiaries - totalling R2.7bn - are yet to be received by SAA to recapitalise the subsidiaries. We are in constant contact with our shareholder in this regard.”