South African Airways (SAA) has cancelled 60% of its flights following a wage increase strike by their pilots, which is on its second day. The cancellation of flights has affected flights from Perth, Australia, and Sao Paulo, Brazil, Cape Town, Durban, Gqeberha, Windhoek, and Mauritius.

PLANS IN PLACE

Pilots represented by the SAA Pilots Association are demanding a 15.7% pay increase and better working conditions. However, SAA is offering an 8% hike, which the pilots have rejected. A pilot who spoke to the media, Captain Sibusiso Nxumalo, said they are not using the December holidays as a gimmick to frustrate the airline. "Management has not reached out to us for the resumption of wage talks. We've even gone to CCMA, but unfortunately, the matter remains unresolved; hence we followed other due processes and issued a notice of strike. In the 8 months that we've been negotiating this, no one wants to take accountability and listen to our demands; that is why we are here today.' Flight Centre spokesperson Lynette Machir said the airline is trying to assist customers who've already booked their flights. "SAA has been assisting us with customers to re-accommodate customers as best we can. Domestic and regional flights have generally seen re-accommodations and re-bookings on that front. Where we do have a bit of a challenge is the Perth and São Paulo routes, where customers are being rebooked or offered options to travel on a later date." Machir said.

PILOTS HAVE MADE SACRIFICES

SAA interim CEO John Lamola said if the airline were to give in to the 15.7% pay increase demanded by the pilots, the SAA would decline into bankruptcy. SAA Pilots Association and National Transport Movement said in a joint statement: "Employees have made significant sacrifices in the last couple of years. They have suffered huge pay cuts and endured stagnant salaries and eroding working conditions; this is in support of the airline during its most challenging period in recent history. Our struggle is not for personal gain but about fairness, operational safety and ensuring the best possible future for our airline and its passengers. The strike action will be short, effective, and focused," the unions said.