The airline reached an agreement with the SAA Pilots Association (SAAPA) to halt the protest, the company said in a statement, two days after the pilots went on strike following a deadlock in pay talks.

SAAPA's initial demand in May was for a 30% increase in pilot salaries, which was subsequently reduced to 15.7%, including associated benefits.

SAA, which initially offered an 8.46% pay increase backdated to April, said it had now offered a salary hike of 9.47%.

The union could not be immediately reached for comment.

The airline flew 51% of planned flights on Thursday, the first day of the strike, including only 33% of its international flights. It said it expected a full return to the regular flight schedule by Sunday.

--Reuters--