Cape Town – South African Airways (SAA) pilots have accepted a revised salary and benefits package, effectively bringing to an end the work-to-rule industrial action that had been in place since March 19, 2025. This resolution marks a significant milestone in the airline's 2024 wage negotiations for the pilots’ bargaining unit.
SAA Group CEO, Prof M John Lamola, expressed satisfaction with the pilots’ decision, noting their commitment to the airline’s future. "We are pleased to see the pilots recommit to their roles and return to the flight deck, underscoring their dedication to the airline's success over the years to come," Lamola stated.
The strike was initiated after wage talks between the pilots and the airline hit an impasse, as the South African Airways Pilots Association (SAAPA) and the National Transport Movement (NTM) Pilot Forum expressed dissatisfaction with the initial proposals. This led to a series of negotiation breakdowns, culminating in the work-to-rule action, which saw pilots strictly adhering to their contracted hours but avoiding any excess duties.
In response to this industrial action, which followed previous disputes in November 2024, SAA's latest offer included a salary increase package: a 7.3% increase for 2025, followed by 7.6% raises in 2026 and 2027. Initially, the pilots had demanded a 30% raise, subsequently reducing their request to 15.7% as negotiations continued.
According to Lamola, the acceptance of the revised package not only benefits the airline but also aligns with the interests of its entire workforce and the thousands of customers who rely on SAA for service across South Africa and internationally. "[The pilots’] resolution aligns with the airline’s best interest, its entire workforce and, most importantly, the thousands of customers who depend on SAA to connect them to destinations," he asserted.
Having reached an agreement, operations are expected to return to normal immediately. Lamola emphasizes that SAA remains dedicated to operating as a financially responsible and self-sustaining airline, ready to foster a sustainable economic future without relying on public funding.
This development is seen as pivotal for SAA as it navigates a new business strategy, especially after previous privatization attempts did not pan out. "SAA is on the cusp of a great future and is poised to solidify its role as a national asset, fostering confidence in its brand and contributing to South Africa's economic growth through improved connectivity, trade, and tourism," he noted.
Remarkably, Lamola highlighted that the successful recommitment from pilots is essential for maintaining the airline's operational momentum. Each member of the SAA team, he reiterated, plays a vital role in the airline's overall success.
As South African Airways steps forward from this industrial action, it does so with a renewed focus on customer experience and operational excellence. This agreement brings the promise of stability amid previous unrest, ensuring that the airline can continue to serve its passengers effectively while addressing the needs and welfare of its employees.
The collaboration and resumed productivity among SAA's pilots not only strengthen the airline as a business but also reinforce its obligations to the economy, increasingly recognized as a critical component of South Africa’s transport sector. The future now looks brighter for both the airline and those who rely on it.
