SAA’s controversial chairperson, Dudu Myeni, is making headlines once again, reportedly having interfered in a deal with Airbus, costing the cash-strapped airline R1,6 billion (€103 million). 

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The Sunday Times reported that Myeni had disregarded a payment deal with Airbus, approved by Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene, which allowed SAA to lease aircraft it had ordered instead of buying them. In 2009, SAA signed a deal to buy 20 new aircraft. The airline took delivery of 10 but realised this year it could not afford to pay for the remaining aircraft due for delivery in 2016.

Airbus reacted, saying this would compromise the company’s ethics and demanded the immediate pre-delivery payment for the aircraft of R1,6 billion.

This is the second time the chairperson has allegedly interfered in operations, blocking a deal with Emirates earlier this year that would have seen R1,7 billion (€110 million) invested in the SAA.

Meanwhile, a reputable source has confirmed to Tourism Update that Chief Commercial Officer, Sylvain Bosc, has been placed on “special leave” and is unlikely to return to the airline. According to a report in Business Day Non-executive Director, Tony Dixon, has resigned, while CFO Wolf Meyer’s resignation is imminent.