The plan to fix SAA
An experienced Welsh restructuring expert, called in to help save the sputtering airline, has identified a number of problems — including high costs and the disappointingly low daily flying hours of the aircraft
There is little doubt that loss-making state-owned SA Airways (SAA) will have to slash staff numbers as its executive team works towards turning the sluggish, struggling behemoth around. It’s a sensitive issue and no-one will talk numbers. But the first sign of what lies ahead was last week’s disclosure that about 120 employees of the airline’s catering subsidiary, Air Chefs, are in line for retrenchment. Talks are also under way with international airlines to take over SAA’s excess pilots on a contract basis. CEO Vuyani Jarana, the former Vodacom executive who took the reins at SAA in November last year, must of course have some idea of what lies in store for the airline’s employees. But he is only willing to say that the final decision about any possible layoffs for the company as a whole will depend on the finalisation of an operational model. This will determine the optimum numbers of personnel for a fit-for-purpose airline. He is no doubt very aware of the likelihood of a major...
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