SAA receives renewed operating license Expanded Content

JOHANNESBURG (August 4) - SAA has taken another significant step closer to resuming operations after being granted a renewed operating license by the regulator, the South African Civil Aviation Authority, under the stewardship of Captain Sakhile Reiling, SAA’s Interim Executive: Operations.

SAA’s Interim CEO Thomas Kgokolo says, “This is an important development as SAA readies itself to take to the skies again in just a few weeks. At our Airways Park headquarters, in hangars and at terminals around the country our staff are hard at work in finishing the final preparatory phases before we make an official announcement about the exact take-off date.

“While I acknowledge there is frustration over a delay in confirming this date, all of us at SAA need to make sure vital components in a very complicated and multi-faceted process are working seamlessly before we start. I’m confident that we will be able to make that announcement soon.”

As SAA accelerates its readiness, Kgokolo has also confirmed that all management and specialist pilots have now been appointed and that the pilots who will form the nucleus of the fleet’s cockpit have been identified and the processes to bring them on board will conclude in the next two weeks.

Notes Kgokolo, “I again want to thank all our pilots, those who will remain and those who are leaving, for the service they give and have given to SAA, always placing safety and professionalism first which has made SAA one of the most admired airlines in the world.” He says the cockpit crew will continue with flight training in anticipation of resuming operations.