Mango and SAA Technical reach agreement regarding maintenance

Mango airlines and South African Airways (SAA) Technical have, on Friday 2 October, reached an agreement whereby SAAT will continue to maintain, service and provide pre-flight checks on Mango aircraft. 

According to eNCA, this comes after SAA Technical informed both Mango and SAA that it would suspend its services due to non-payment.

MANGO AND SAAT REACH AGREEMENT 

Mango airlines spokesperson Sergio dos Santos said the airline looks forward to flying its customers again in the near future. 

“Mango would like to report back that finally an agreement has been reached with SAAT to continue maintaining, servicing and providing daily pre-flight checks on Mango aircraft as per usual,” said Dos Santos. 

Mango said it is doing all within its power to restore operations to an acceptable level, urging all guests to always check its website for any changes to its flight schedule. 

“We regret the inconvenience caused to all our stakeholders,” he added. 

Before the agreement, Mango and SAAT were in the process of sensitive discussions. 

“Mango can confirm that ongoing key and sensitive discussions are taking place between Mango and SAAT currently to continue with operations under these difficult times,” it said. 

The airline said it remained hopeful that a “win-win solution between itself and SAAT would be found in due course”. 

“As part of contingency, Mango will continue operating via third party aircraft lease arrangements including operating own aircraft to fly our passengers until further notice. We ask for patience and understanding as we navigate through this difficult time. We will keep everyone updated as soon more information becomes available. We profusely regret and apologise for the inconvenience caused,” it said. 

SAA TECHNICAL HOLD PICKET OVER NON-PAYMENT 

Workers at SAA Technical held a demonstration on Monday 28 September after they were paid just 25% of their salaries. National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) national spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola said officials were meeting with management to resolve the impasse and find a way forward. 

“Today our members protested out of frustration because they were only paid 25% of their salary. This is after SAAT management ambushed workers last Friday where they were suddenly told that only 25% of their salary would be paid,” said Hlubi-Majola. 

According to Numsa, the agreement was that SAAT would top up the Ters payment by paying 50% of workers’ salaries.