As far as I can remember the fact that SAX is now on the books of Transnet is a recent development. Originally on SAA's books. Government will probably take SAX back, but this is all smoke and mirrors/creative book keeping.
SAX has been on Transnet's books for quite a while now, at least since they bought the Thebe shares out. Currently SAX still resides within Transnet until a bill is passed in Parliament to transfer it to the DPE. This is the same process that was followed for SAA. SAX has never been on SAA's books-ever.
I hardly see where the smoke and mirrors fits into this
The only way govt. can shed expenses is to hand over business units to private enterprise. Such as the recent acquisition of Transnet housing by FNB.
Thats why Transnet has been trying to sell SAX for the last year or more- no takers. Hence the move to the DPE. Investors are not stupid- aviation is no place to gamble right now.
always thought that SAX should have been South Africa's next low cost carrier years ago, way before Mango, by simply rebranding and adjusting the business model. Interesting times ahead.
No can do, scope limitation agreements between SAA and its SAAPA cancel this as an option. The only way this would happen is if SAX gave up their agreement with SAA- that’s definitely not going to happen so the whole thing is a non-starter. The irony to this whole thing is that this same agreement was a stumbling block in the creation of Mango yet the pilots endorsed the deal- a deal that is far more prejudicial to the long term well being of the pilot body than any expansion of SAX would ever have been. Wonder if any hard questions have been asked about that. Everybody can make up their own mind, I just remember who was lurking around the project offices over that time….
