10 ‘unsolicited’ offers to partner with SAA - govt
The Department of Public Enterprises says the government is working with private sector investors for a restructured South African Airways (SAA), which could launch as soon as January 2021.
The department has received “more than 10 unsolicited offers” to partner with the airline and its subsidiaries Air Chefs, South African Airways Technical and Mango Airlines.
SAA, which has been in administration since December, is estimated to need at least R10 billion to resume operations.
Spokesperson Sam Mkokeli says the local and international investor groups are keen to provide the new airline with technical, financial, and operational expertise.
"As the sole shareholder on behalf of the government, the DPE had been busy assessing the interests from the several unsolicited local and international strategic equity partners as part of the implementation of the business rescue plan, which was published at the end of June.”
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Mkokeli says government wants the restructured airline to play a bigger role in supporting the economy, including in the local tourism sector.
"Such partnerships will also improve scale and scope and ensure continuity of value creation to the South African economy and long-term sustainability of the aviation industry managed by competent, competitive and skilled personnel who possess strategic and technical capabilities, which are critical to the success of the new carrier.”
