Only the best for the high-flying pilots at struggling SAA
SA's national airline has been posting deep losses but its pilots enjoy five-star accommodation and a variety of eye-watering perks
PILOTS reportedly get five-star accommodation and generous travel benefits‚ at a cost of R697m a year for ailing South African Airways. The Citizen newspaper reported on Friday that pilots are accommodated in hotels of the highest global standards and entitled to free family travel on a preferential basis to normal fee-paying passengers in business class. The report quoted an SAA insider as saying: "It gets worse. If a pilot gets divorced‚ the previous wife gets the benefits and the new girlfriend gets the benefit at the same time." Pilots are also entitled to 90 days’ sick leave‚ which may be extended to 180 days in a one-year rolling cycle‚ the Citizen said. Management‚ meanwhile‚ is entitled to 36 working days’ sick leave in a three-year cycle. South African Transport and Allied Workers’ Union general secretary Zenzo Mahlangu said pilots were entitled to two-year sabbaticals while their jobs were guaranteed on their return‚ allowing them to work for another airline during that ti...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.