Johannesburg – The South African Airways (SAA) pilots’ strike has been called off, allowing flights to resume after the unions reached a conditional agreement on the wage increase dispute.

The strike, which began on Thursday, December 5, 2024, resulted in the cancellation of over half of SAA’s flights, predominantly affecting international routes.

However, reports on Saturday morning, November 7, 2024, revealed that the unions, including the South African Airways Pilots Association (SAAPA) and the National Transport Movement Pilots Forum (NTM-PF), had successfully negotiated a conditional agreement with SAA management to address the pilots’ demands.

In a statement released on X, SAA management confirmed the lifting of the strike, announcing, “We are pleased to confirm that the pilots’ strike, which started on December 5, 2024, has been suspended as of 02:00 this morning.”

The statement further explained: “This resolution comes after successful discussions between the SAA Executive Management and the South African Airways Pilots Association (SAAPA).

“Management has offered an additional 1% salary increase, which brings the cumulative raise to 9.47% for SAA pilots.

SAA CEO Professor John Lamola stated, “As part of the agreement that resolved the wage negotiation stalemate, discussions regarding an ongoing enterprise improvement program will take place over the next eight weeks.

“We are committed to implementing work-life measures that will enhance the productivity of our esteemed pilots.”

Professor Lamola anticipated that SAA would fully restore its flight schedule by Sunday, December 8, 2024, with over 100 pilots expected to return to duty by noon today, December 7, 2024.

“SAA extends its heartfelt thanks to our valued customers for their patience, understanding, and support during this challenging time,” he remarked.

Customers are encouraged to visit the SAA website www.flysaa.com and follow social media channels for updates on the SAA flight schedule.

See post on X: https://twitter.com/flysaa/status/1865306601537573024

Long queues were reported at SAA counters at OR Tambo International Airport on Saturday morning.

The strike was triggered by unsuccessful wage discussions.

Initially, SAAPA had requested a 30% salary increase, which was later adjusted to 15.7%, along with additional benefits.

In contrast, SAA proposed an 8.46% increase retroactive to April 2024.

“SAA’s final wage offer, made to SAAPA on September 24, 2024, is significantly higher than typical salary increments in South Africa for 2024,” stated the airline’s management.

Additionally, the airline mentioned that this final offer was aligned with international pilot salary adjustments and corresponded to the raises awarded to other SAA employees in June 2024.

Following the stalemate, pilots represented by SAAPA initiated the strike, leading to the cancellation of 60% of SAA flights, especially on international routes.

In another recent update, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni announced: “For the first time since 2012, SAA has reported a net profit of R252 million for the 2022/23 financial year, with group revenue increasing from R2 billion to R5.7 billion.

“Remarkably, SAA achieved this while operating with only six to eight aircraft across nine destinations at the beginning of the 2022/23 financial year,”

Ntshavheni, addressing the outcomes of the latest Cabinet meeting, noted that SAA has doubled its fleet, initiated intercontinental routes, and expanded its network to 16 destinations.

Looking back: