Some domestic flights will be operational on Thursday: SAA

The airline's management held a briefing on Tuesday afternoon amid a strike by employees.

Workers from the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) and the South African Cabin Crew Association are striking for higher wages and against planned retrenchments at the national carrier. 

READ: SAA grounds its domestic, international flights ahead of strike

In a statement, SAA said it will resume regional flights to six destinations namely Accra, Lagos, Lusaka, Maputo, Windhoek and Harare.

SAA's Chief Commercial Officer Phillip Saunders said: "For the first time we will also introduce two return flights on a domestic route, that's Johannesburg to Cape Town a critical route for this airline. Also, one return flight between Johannesburg and Durban."

"So you can see that the airline is following up on it's commitment to its customers to reintroduce service on this incremental basis," he said. 

SAA flights were grounded on Friday and Saturday as workers began their industrial action.

Meanwhile, SAA Acting CEO, Zuks Ramasia thanked employees who have returned to work.  

“We applaud our committed employees for understanding that the airline cannot afford salary increases at present, because of the financial difficulties we are facing. The National Union of Metal Workers of South Africa (NUMSA) and South African Airways Cabin Crew Association (SACCA) are demanding a wage increase of 8%, whilst the company will only be in a position to pay 5.9% in March 2020, assuming funds are available at that time." 

"We call on all our employees to return to work for the sake of our customers and the company. After all, our customers contribute to our salaries and it is only through their confidence and custom that we can secure the future for SAA and ensure our essential contribution to the country’s economy. We are also very mindful of the contribution made by taxpayers to our sustainability,” said Ramasia.