AS TNW went to print
this week the country
was again awash
with hype regarding the
future of SAA.
Last week the government
missed its deadline
to provide SAA with a
further R2bn of funding
for the business rescue
process. The Department
of Public Enterprises
reported on Tuesday
(Jan 21) that, following
a meeting with business
rescue practitioners at the
weekend, it was engaging
with the National Treasury
to raise funds for the
airline. SAA board member
and director, Martin
Kingston, also announced
his resignation during the
course of the week.
SAA reacted by cancelling
and consolidating a
number of domestic and
international routes. These
included a number of
January flights between
ORTIA and Cape Town and
ORTIA and Durban. It also
announced that it was
cancelling selected services
between Johannesburg and
Munich. These cancellations
represented a responsible
strategy to conserve cash
and optimise the airline’s
position ahead of any further
capital investment, said
the airline.
A number of sources
have also told TNW that
the business rescue
practitioners were engaging
with Mango to transfer more
domestic flights across to
the low-cost carrier, which
may split from SAA. These
rumours have not been
substantiated, however.
Airlink also announced this
week that it had given notice
on its long-term franchise
partnership with SAA and
would be operating flights
through a separate code
in future – see story on
page 2.
SAA’s chief commercial
officer, Philip Saunders,
and chief financial officer,
Deon Fredericks, are also
reported to have engaged
with trade members last
week relating to measures
to protect funds for tickets
purchased after December
5. Further details could not
be confirmed at time of
going to print however.
