SAA discusses progress on long-term strategy

In the meeting, Myeni appraised staff for the "solid progress" that was being made to come up with a viable long-term strategy for the group, encompassing both operational and human resources imperatives.

She further thanked all staff for the good work that they were doing despite the difficult industry operating conditions, characterised by heightening competition and rising fuel prices.

In October 2012, Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba announced that a task team had been set up to come up with a turnaround strategy for the state-owned airline.

The acting chairperson was accompanied by newly appointed acting Chief Executive Officer, Nico Bezuidenhout.

Bezuidenhout, whose appointment was announced on Monday, has been asked by the board to oversee the business in the interim to allow for business continuity and to ensure there is optimal understanding and appreciation of SAA's commercial challenges within the top leadership of the airline during this transitional period.

"[Bezuidenhout] is a very experienced colleague and airline executive, having been appointed CEO of Mango in 2006. We are very pleased that he agreed to oversee operations and we have every confidence that he will, together with all stakeholders, provide the necessary leadership during this period," said Myeni.

The previous acting CEO, Vuyisile Kona, has been placed on precautionary suspension.

Meanwhile, the airline has announced that it has been awarded the 4-Star Airline ranking for 2013 by Skytrax, the independent, global airline rating organisation.

The 4-Star Airline ranking recognises continued quality improvement in SAA's on-board products and service, together with a number of changes to the home base airport customer experience in terms of product and service levels.

The Skytrax Star Ranking audit examines more than 800 areas of product and service delivery, across all areas of the airport operations.