SAA offering pilots and cabin crew to other carriers to cut costs
‘The hiring airline gets ready-made skills and we benefit from a reduction in overheads’ — without the loss of jobs — says SAA CEO about the new plan
London — South African Airways (SAA) is offering surplus pilots and cabin crew to major global carriers as part of a bid to cut costs and secure alliances in its three-year turnaround plan. SAA needs less staff of its own as it scraps under-performing routes, and views the experienced personnel as a path to discussions with potential partners, CEO Vuyani Jarana said in an interview. "The hiring airline gets ready-made skills and we benefit from a reduction in overheads without people losing jobs," he said. "We’ve got things they need, but also, if they’re able to come through for us, then it’s a win-win." Talks have been held with Kenya Airways and Gulf giant Emirates, among others. Jarana is looking to halt seven straight years of losses, after being appointed SAA’s eighth CEO in as many years. Measures announced so far include cutting the services from the carrier’s Johannesburg base to London by half, and reducing capacity or eliminating destinations within Africa. He wouldn’t sa...
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