South African Airways (SAA) has formally clarified that it holds no role or responsibility in the ongoing business rescue of Mango Airlines, despite the budget airline being a wholly owned subsidiary.
SAA completed its own business rescue in April 2021, while Mango’s process began in August 2021 and remains active. The national carrier emphasised that it has no control, decision-making authority, or involvement in Mango’s operations, sale negotiations, or passenger refund processes.
This statement follows reports by Mango’s Business Rescue Practitioner (BRP), Sipho Sono, confirming that a sale and purchase of shares agreement is nearing finalisation, pending regulatory and legal clearance. However, challenges around transparency, investor vetting, and stakeholder objections have delayed the airline’s potential relaunch.
The issue of unflown tickets—purchased before Mango suspended flights in July 2021—is also under separate review by the BRP team. SAA stressed that all queries relating to claims or refunds must be directed to Mango directly.
While the public often perceives Mango as being under SAA’s wing, the carrier made it clear: it is focusing on its own turnaround strategy and has no hand in Mango’s business rescue decisions.
