South African Airways (SAA) new Chief Executive Officer, Mr Vuyani Jarana will assume office at its headquarters, Airways Park, Johannesburg on 1 November 2017, the airline has announced.

Announcing this SAA Spokesperson Tlali Tlali said "The appointment of Mr Jarana will bring stability at the executive tier of the airline’s leadership. This will also enable the acting CEO, Mr Musa Zwane, to return to the maintenance subsidiary, SAA Technical, where he is a full time chief executive.

One of Mr Jarana’s major responsibilities will be to ensure the effective implementation of SAA’s recently finalised five-year corporate plan. SAA must return to commercial sustainability in the shortest time possible.

The Board of Directors will support Mr Jarana and his executive team in every way possible and will exercise fiduciary responsibilities on SAA in accordance with the law and in line with the expectations of the shareholder.

“This is an important step forward that will boost staff morale and instill confidence in our business from suppliers, customers and stakeholders at large,” concluded Tlali.

Mr Jarana is appointed on a five-year contract.