Question NW1112 to the Minister of Public Enterprises
27 August 2021 - NW1112
Hunsinger, Mr CH to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
1) Whether the SA Airways (SAA) pilots have undergone any training recently; if not, on what date was the last training conducted; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) Whether the SAA engineering department is working; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) What steps are considered against the crew who were responsible for the miscalculation on the recent SAA - A346 flight from Brussels to Johannesburg?
Reply:
According to the information received from SAA:
1. Yes, training has been conducted recently: requalification training including ground training and flight simulator training was conducted by SAA instructors during the month of March up to the commencement of industrial action by SAAPA affiliated pilots on the 2nd of April 2021. Safety and Emergency Procedure training for the pilots that are not locked out on the A319/320 fleet has been completed, as well as Crew Resource Management training for A319/320 and A330/340 pilots that are not locked-out, post 2nd of April 2021.
2. Yes, the SAA Engineering Department (SAAT) is working. However, the company continues to face challenges with reduced airline activity. This has resulted in less work for SAAT in the market.
As part of SAAT’s Business Plan, the organisation’s restructuring seeks to position SAAT as a viable business entity capable of growing within the current and future market outlook. SAAT remains a strategic entity in the country’s aviation strategy, as well as in enhancing economic recovery through air travel.
3. South African Airways (SAA) Safety Department has concluded its investigation with regards to the Alpha Floor event during a February 2021 flight from OR Tambo International in Johannesburg to Brussels in Belgium.
In addition to SAA’s internal investigation, SAA received the report from the South African Civil Aviation Authority’s (SACAA) investigation into the same Alpha Floor event.
The SACAA report has made findings and recommendations. SAA is studying the report to determine how the recommendations made by SACAA can be implemented.
Ultimately, the trajectory of the Covid pandemic and the possibility of further waves of infection or other events will determine the aviation recovery. This will in turn influence the business available to SAAT.