South African Airways (SAA) is bracing for a “work-to-rule” industrial action by pilots starting on Wednesday, as wage talks with the SAA Pilots Association (Saapa) and the National Transport Movement (NTM) Pilot Forum collapsed, the airline said late on Tuesday.
It is not yet clear how the strike will affect flights and travellers’ plans.
The state-owned carrier, still recovering from financial distress, expressed regret over the pilots’ move, despite what it described as a “comprehensive and favourable” final offer tabled on March 5. SAA said it has put contingency plans in place to limit disruptions to its flight schedule.
“We are fully committed to minimizing the impact of this action and ensuring uninterrupted service,” SAA Group CEO John Lamola said in a statement. “Our priority is resolving outstanding issues collaboratively while maintaining operational reliability and safety standards.”
The deadlock follows months of negotiations that began in May 2024, when pilots demanded a 30% pay rise, later revised to 15.7%. SAA countered with a 7.2% average increase in November, alongside a medical aid subsidy hike from R2 275 to R4 000 monthly. Pilots rejected the offer, sparking a strike on December 5, 2024.
A temporary truce in December yielded minor concessions, including a 1% rise in Total Cost of Employment (TCE) from December 1, an extra duty-free day per month, and a R200 daily domestic allowance for flight deck crew. However, these failed to avert the current standoff.
SAA’s latest multi-year proposal includes a 7.66% TCE increase from April 1, with a new longevity pay model, followed by 3% annual increases in 2025 and 2026, and a further 3% plus inflation-linked adjustments in 2027. Additional benefits include extra leave days, enhanced travel perks, and a roster-sharing trial for female pilots with children.
The airline also agreed to cap duty hours away from base at 4 hours 30 minutes per 24-hour cycle from May 1, pending system upgrades, and involve pilots in selecting new rostering technology.
SAA, grappling with high fuel costs, a weak rand, and intense competition, said its offer was “reasonable and generous” given its financial constraints. The carrier added it remains open to further talks to resolve the dispute.
Saapa was not immediately available for comment.
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