South African Airways (SAA) chief executive John Lamola will step down in April 2026, closing a chapter that has come to define the airline’s post-business rescue recovery.
In an internal farewell note to staff seen by Business Explainer, Lamola reflected on a tenure that began during one of the most uncertain periods in the airline’s history. “Every journey, no matter how meaningful, must one day come to an end,” he wrote, confirming his departure after nearly five years with the group, including time as board chair before taking on the CEO role in 2022.
He described the early days as a period marked by uncertainty and limited resources, with a workforce of roughly 500 employees navigating the aftermath of COVID-19 and business rescue. “We were a small team… carrying the weight of uncertainty… yet there was something powerful that held us together — hope,” he said.
Under his leadership, SAA rebuilt its operations from just five aircraft and six routes to a fleet of 19 aircraft serving 17 destinations, including the reintroduction of long-haul routes such as São Paulo and Perth. Domestically, the airline recovered from effectively zero market share to approximately 20%, while approaching the milestone of two million passengers annually.
Lamola pointed to the airline’s return to profitability in the 2022/23 financial year — its first in 11 years — as a defining moment. “It was more than a financial milestone. It was a symbol of belief restored,” he noted.
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He credited employees for the turnaround, highlighting the “long hours, difficult decisions, and sacrifices made quietly” that underpinned the recovery.
Looking ahead, Lamola said the airline is entering a new phase focused on stability and operational discipline. “The work ahead is different… it will require steady hands to attend to the details,” he said, pointing to priorities such as consistent customer service and stronger compliance as a state-owned entity.
While no specific reason for his resignation was disclosed, the tone of the message suggests a planned leadership transition aligned with the airline’s shift from recovery to consolidation.
“It has been the greatest honour of my life to walk this journey with you,” Lamola said, as he signed off, expressing confidence that SAA’s next phase would build on the foundations laid during its turnaround.
His departure leaves South African Airways at a critical inflection point, as it seeks to maintain momentum in a competitive aviation market while embedding long-term sustainability.
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