Cape Town: Professor John Lamola has been appointed as the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of South African Airways (SAA) for a two-year term, as confirmed by the Cabinet. The announcement was made by Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni during a post-Cabinet media briefing held in Cape Town.
According to South African Government News Agency, Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy extended her congratulations to Lamola on his appointment. The Department of Transport issued a statement noting that Minister Creecy recognized Lamola’s leadership as acting CEO over the past two years. During his tenure, Lamola successfully concluded three years of outstanding audits and led the airline to declare profits in the 2023 financial year, marking a significant achievement after several years of financial struggle.
Furthermore, the department highlighted that under Lamola’s leadership, South African Airways has expanded its operations to include domestic, regional, and international routes. This expansion is seen as a positive development for the airline as it continues to recover and grow in the aviation industry.