October 31, 2026 — South African Airways is reportedly unable to pay 30–40% of its employees on time, blaming rising fuel prices, while insisting it will not seek new government money.
What happened
One Mile at a Time, citing an EWN report from October 29, says SAA is deferring salaries for management, pilots, executives and board members so it can keep paying critical operating costs such as fuel. A firm date for the deferred payments has not been published (TBA).
SAA head of corporate affairs Mpilo Dlamini said the airline did not receive enough capital after its business rescue, which squeezed liquidity, but that banks are willing to support it. He added: “We are not going to ask for more money.”
The report notes SAA’s latest annual results (year to March 31, 2025) showed a small net profit that leaned heavily on one-off gains, including the sale of Heathrow slots, while the core business posted an EBITDA loss of about R317 million. SAA emerged from business rescue in 2021.
What it means for non-revs
- Late pay for pilots is a classic trigger for labor friction. No strike or industrial action has been announced, but SAA staff and anyone planning ZED/interline travel on SAA should watch union statements closely.
- If you are planning a trip to or within South Africa on SAA passes, build in a backup on another carrier in case of disruption, and avoid tight connections.
- For SAA employees: keep records of any deferred salary amounts and check with your union on next steps.
Sources
- One Mile at a Time: South African Airways Delaying Staff Pay, Yet Insists Finances Are Fine
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