South African Airways Suspends International Flights

If you read between the lines. There are politics involved. Many times flag carriers are forced to operate unprofitable routes. I guess this is the best excuse to operate more efficiently. As far as leasing airplanes will be cheaper, they just got the A350 I doubt they can cut be better deal anytime soon for a new modern type. Maybe their older A332, but those should be returned not renewed given the current situation.

The demand for their used A340s is approximately zero.

One should talk to their pilots. The business rescue administrator is sacking their senior pilots, most of whom are white. In a case of reverse discrimination (apartheid), a two or three year minority pilot would usurp the seniority of the most senior white captains & first officers to fly routes on larger aircraft. This is in direct conflict of the seniority program stipulated in the pilot contract & common practice among all other airlines. Thus, a minority pilot would push a senior white pilot down the seniority list. Minority pilots who are already flying for SAA would move up the list. The government who makes up the rules for the state owned airline agrees. The SAA pilots would rather the airline close business for good than to jeopardize the safety of the flights and give up their hard earned seniority. Someone do the math and figure out how a "bankrupt" airline can afford new Airbus A350s! Something stinks and it ain't fish!

This could be a godsend opportunity to shut down every thing for a few months and reorganise the organization under the guise of COVID-19. When this all over come back leaner and meaner and only focus on routes that will make money.