Pilots enter vote of no confidence in SAA board

Cape Town - Pilots of South African Airways (SAA) on Monday voted overwhelmingly in favour of a vote of no confidence in both the chair and non-executive directors of the board.  

The vote of no confidence was obtained at a special general meeting at SAA headquarters in Kempton Park.

Captain John Harty, chair of the SAA Pilots Association, said in a statement that the vote of no confidence was prefaced by a discussion on the financial situation at SAA, the controversial Airbus deal and possible breaches of certain legislation as well as the impact of recent statements made by the chair on the authority of the captain of an aircraft.

There were 472 pilots present in person and by proxy. Of these, 457 voted in favour of a motion of no confidence, two pilots voted against the motion and 11 pilots abstained.

"It is hoped that this vote will serve as a clarion call to Minister of Finance Nhlanhla Nene and the government that the future of SAA requires immediate and urgent attention and that a new board, fit for purpose and able to deal with the challenges currently facing the airline, be appointed as soon as possible," said Harty.

The motion of no confidence has been communicated to the SAA board and to the Minister of Finance.

Fin24

This article first appeared on News24 – see here.