SAA delays some staff salaries for second month as cash crunch bites
South African Airways (SAA) is staggering October salary payments, with pilots, managers and executives paid after the normal pay day, TimesLIVE reported. Staff were also paid late in September, an insider said.
The staggered pay dates
SAA's acting chief human capital officer, Lourens Erasmus, told staff in a communique that salaries would be staggered, TimesLIVE reported.
| Staff group | October pay date |
|---|---|
| Ground staff and cabin crew | 27 October (normal pay day) |
| Pilots | 28 October |
| Management and specialists | 30 October |
| Executives | 31 October |
The memo apologised for the delay. Staff could ask HR for a letter confirming the revised date for their banks.
"Running out of money"
An insider with knowledge of the situation, who was not allowed to speak to the media, said September salaries were only paid around 2 October. Some service providers now demand pre-payment, the source added.
SAA is running out of money, and may soon be grounded.
TimesLIVE said the airline faces rising operating costs, changes in leadership and a reliance on state guarantees.
State support so far
The National Treasury's medium-term budget policy statement, tabled on Wednesday, said SAA's fiscal exposure grew in 2026 because of the global jet fuel price shock, TimesLIVE reported. The government provided a R1bn guarantee in August to fund SAA's immediate working capital needs.
The Treasury also noted that SAA holds a further R223m in government guarantees linked to unflown-ticket liabilities and corporate letters of credit. It warned that the airline's remaining risk depends on handling its pressures without asking for more direct state support.
SAA's response
SAA spokesperson Mphilo Dlamini said on Thursday that the airline takes its responsibilities to employees seriously. He said it recognises the importance of paying salaries on time.
"A majority of the employees will be paid on time," Dlamini said. "Those who will receive their salaries later, it will be delayed by only a day or two."
He said management had "fully engaged employees" and that the measures were intended to protect the business and its ability to keep operating. Fuel costs and geopolitical events were adding to pressure on liquidity, he said.
