Cape Town - The chief executive of South African Airways Khaya Ngqula, has been given a ringing endorsement by his political boss, the Minister of Public Enterprises Brigitte Mabandla, who has just taken over from Alec Erwin.

Giving a written reply to a parliamentary question circulated on Wednesday, the minister said that at this stage no consideration is being given to replacing the CEO of SAA.

"The airline operates in a tough commercial environment and the current management team and CEO continue to sustain SAA's high service standard in a difficult market environment," she said.

"In addition, the current management team and CEO should be commended on the implementation of a comprehensive and challenging restructuring programme that has enabled the airline to post an operating profit of R123m prior to restructuring costs at the end of 2007/08."

She explained that Ngqula's contract expires in October 2010. His remuneration for the past four years has been R2 295 000 in 2004/05, R6 850 000 which included a R1.85m performance bonus in 2005/06, R5 000 000 in 2006/07, and R5 687 669.40 including a retention premium of R687 699.40 in 2007/08.

- I-Net Bridge