Well-known industry personality dumps SAA

THE resignation on Wednesday afternoon of South African Airway's (SAA) vice-president of global sales, David James was, according to an insider, met with "shock and disbelief" from personnel as news hit via an internal e-mail from president and chief executive officer (ceo), Coleman Andrews. Senior manager of corporate communications, Madelaine Roscher, says a press statement would be forthcoming within the "next 24 hours" but added there were no immediate plans to replace James. In the meantime, executive vice-president and chief financial officer, Andre Viljoen, will handle the sales portfolio. James told Travel Now, "I'm not sure what I'll be doing now but I can say that I'm now free to pursue a number of options which have arisen." He said he would rather not comment on the reasons for his resignation until after SAA has issued its own official statement. (Adele Mackenzie)