Shareholder support for South African Airways (SAA) to procure a modern and fuel-efficient fleet was vital for its future competitiveness, Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba told lawmakers on Wednesday.

However, he stopped short of confirming a mooted R6-billion capital injection, saying only that the “substance of such support is the subject of an ongoing discussion between the department, the National Treasury and SAA”.

Shareholder support, he argued, would enable SAA to navigate the dual challenge of a depressed global economy and high fuel prices.

The notion of a national flag carrier was also defended, with Gigaba saying SAA was critical to future air-transport security in light of South Africa’s location and the volatile nature of the airline industry.

“The damage, both to business and tourism, of unreliable air travel to South Africa will be immeasurable.”

An ‘African Aviation Strategy’ had also been drafted and would be submitted to Cabinet in June.

The strategy aimed at focusing the attention of the two State-owned airlines, SAA and South African Express, on “opportunities in the continent and on promoting regional integration”.

“The fact is that Africa must constitute the primary market and route for South African airlines,” Gigaba said.