South African Airways (SAA) has informed employees of changes to its October salary payment schedule for the second consecutive month, as the state-owned airline continues to face pressure on its finances.

According to TimesLIVE, an internal communication issued by acting chief human capital officer Lourens Erasmus initially advised staff that salaries would be staggered between 27 and 31 October, instead of being paid on the 25th as usual.

Ground staff and cabin crew were scheduled to receive their salaries on 27 October, followed by pilots on 28 October. Management and specialists were due to be paid on 30 October, while executives were scheduled for 31 October. SAA later clarified that most employees would be paid on 27 October, their normal payday, while those receiving their salaries later would experience delays of only a day or two.

The revised arrangements follow a similar disruption in September, when salaries were reportedly paid around 2 October.

 SAA Cites Rising Operating Costs

SAA spokesperson Mphilo Dlamini said the airline recognised the importance of paying employees on time, acknowledging the pressure facing the business. In comments published by TimesLIVE, Dlamini said geopolitical developments were contributing to increased operating costs, particularly fuel which placed further pressure on the airline’s liquidity.

The airline said management had engaged employees about the measures being taken to manage the sustainability of the business and its ability to continue operating.

 Government Guarantees Reach R1.2 billion

The salary payment concerns come as National Treasury confirms continued financial exposure linked to SAA.

As previously reported by Newsroom ZA, the government provided a R1 billion guarantee in October 2026 to support the airline’s immediate working capital requirements following a global jet fuel price shock.

According to Treasury’s Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement, SAA also has approximately R223 million in government guarantees related to unflown-ticket liabilities and corporate letters of credit. These guarantees bring the identified government-backed exposure to around R1.223 billion, although they cover different obligations and should not be treated as a direct cash allocation to the airline.

The R1 billion guarantee allows SAA to obtain borrowing backed by the government, which may become liable if the airline defaults on the loans covered by the arrangement.

Further Bailouts Not Ruled Out

National Treasury director-general Duncan Pieterse told Moneyweb that further financial assistance for SAA could not be ruled out. Treasury is working with the Department of Transport on a process to identify a strategic equity partner for the airline.

Pieterse said the potential fiscal implications would become clearer once the transaction advisory work had been completed.

SAA has received approximately R50 billion in government bailouts over the years, making the search for an equity partner an important part of efforts to reduce the state’s future financial exposure as the airline continues to face pressure from rising operating costs while working to manage its liquidity and maintain its operations.