South African Airlines becomes latest carrier set for CEO departure

South African Airlines (SAA) is the latest carrier to announce that its CEO will be departing in a bizarre wave of industry bosses heading for the exit.

On April 10, 2026, South African Airlines confirmed that CEO John Lamola had resigned and will leave the carrier withing the next few weeks.

Lamola joined South African Airlines in July 2021 as a non-executive director and chairperson of the board, before stepping into the role as CEO in May 2022.

The Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, in her capacity as shareholder representative and the airline’s board of directors, thanked Lamola for his “dedicated and distinguished service to the national flag carrier”.

“Professor Lamola has played a pivotal role in rebuilding South African Airways and positioning it for sustained success. His leadership during a complex and demanding period has left a lasting and positive legacy on the organization,” said Chairperson Sedzani Mudau.

AeroTimeSAA added that Lamola led the company at “critical juncture, as the airline emerged from business rescue and navigated the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic”.

Matshela Seshibe, the CEO of SAA’s subsidiary company, Air Chefs, will become interim CEO with the process to recruit the permanent lead commencing shortly.

This year the CEOs of multiple airlines have announced that they are retiring or resigning from their posts.

Most recently Air India CEO Campbell Wilson and flyadeal CEO Steven Greenway confirmed they were departing from their roles.

IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers is also stepping down as leader of India’s largest airline and Peter Foster, who led Air Astana for 20 years, left his post at the end of March 2026.

Air Canada President and CEO Michael Rousseau will also retire by the end of the third quarter of 2026.

IndiGo has named the former British Airways boss and current director general of International Air Transport Association (IATA) Willie Walsh as its new CEO.

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