Operations of South African Airways (SAA) were immediately suspended by administrators in charge of the struggling airline.

Local broadcaster eNCA said that administrators planned to take charge of and retain the national carriage before a restructuring plan financing was available.

In December last year after a decade of financial losses, the carrier, which flowing to major worldwide destinations, entered local bankruptcy protection.

The troubles of SAA worsened when the Government forced it to suspend operations in March by enforcing restrictions on international travel as a result of COVID-19.

"In support of efforts by government to deal with this pandemic, and in the best interests of our crew, passengers and the public, we have decided to suspend all international flights until May 31, 2020," SAA Acting CEO Zuks Ramasia said at the time. 

Operations have remained suspended, but the country will lift the ban on international travel on 1 October.