Latest news with #JohnLamola
Zawya
08-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
South African Airways investigates cyber incident disrupting systems
South African Airways (SAA) has reported a cyber incident that began on Saturday, 3 May 2025, causing temporary disruptions to its website, mobile app, and internal systems. The airline activated its disaster management and business continuity protocols to minimise disruption, ensuring continued customer service via contact centres and sales offices. Normal system functionality was restored the same day. SAA has enlisted independent digital forensic investigators to determine the cause and scope of the breach, which may involve external cybercriminal activities. The airline has also reported the incident to the State Security Agency (SSA), the South African Police Service (SAPS), and the Information Regulator under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). An investigation is ongoing to determine if any data was accessed or exfiltrated. SAA will notify affected parties directly if a data breach is confirmed. Professor John Lamola, Group CEO of South African Airways, says: "The security and integrity of our business systems and the protection of the consumer data entrusted to us remain our highest priority. In response to the cyber incident that began on 3 May, we acted swiftly to contain the disruption, restore services, and initiate a comprehensive investigation. Our robust business continuity measures ensured operational stability, particularly for our valued customers. "I want to assure all stakeholders, including our partners, customers, and dedicated employees, that we are taking every necessary step to determine the root cause of this incident, strengthen our security framework, and mitigate any potential risks. SAA remains committed to delivering safe, reliable, and resilient service."
IOL News
07-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Investigation underway into SAA cyberattack
SAA confirmed it was impacted by a significant cyberattack that began on Saturday. The breach temporarily disrupted access to the airline's website, mobile application, and several internal operational systems. Image: IOL South African Airways (SAA) says the immediate activation of its disaster management and business continuity protocols successfully contained a cyberattack incident and minimised disruption to core flight operations. SAA on Tuesday confirmed it was impacted by a significant cyberattack that began on Saturday. The breach temporarily disrupted access to the airline's website, mobile application, and several internal operational systems. Swift action successfully contained the incident, minimised disruption and ensured the continued functionality of essential customer service channels, such as the airline's contact centers and sales offices, SAA said. 'Normal system functionality across all affected platforms was restored later the same day,' SAA said. SAA management initiated an investigation conducted by independent digital forensic investigators to determine the root cause and full scope of the incident and explore the possibility that the disruption resulted from external cybercrime activities. 'In line with its commitment to regulatory compliance and transparency, SAA has undertaken all reasonable and lawful steps as a National Key Point, including formally reporting the incident to the State Security Agency (SSA), South African Police Service (SAPS) for criminal investigation and notifying the Information Regulator of South Africa as a precautionary measure under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA),' SAA said. Regarding the potential impact on data, the preliminary investigation is assessing the full extent of the incident and actively working to determine if any data was accessed or exfiltrated. SAA group CEO John Lamola added: "The security and integrity of our business systems and the protection of the consumer data entrusted to us remain our highest priority. In response to the cyber incident that began on May 3, we acted swiftly to contain the disruption, restore services, and initiate a comprehensive investigation. Our robust business continuity measures ensured operational stability, particularly for our valued customers. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕
The South African
07-05-2025
- Business
- The South African
SAA confirms major cybersecurity breach, launches investigation
South African Airways (SAA) has confirmed that it experienced a significant cyber incident over the weekend, which disrupted several of its digital and operational systems, including its website, mobile app, and certain internal platforms. In a statement, the national carrier said the breach was swiftly contained through the activation of its disaster management and business continuity protocols, which helped minimise operational disruption. Core services, such as flight operations, customer contact centres, and sales offices, remained unaffected and operational throughout the incident. Normal system functionality was restored later the same day, underscoring the airline's crisis response capabilities. Recognising the seriousness of the breach, SAA has launched a full-scale investigation in collaboration with independent digital forensic experts. The goal is to determine the root cause and full extent of the intrusion, including whether any customer data was compromised or exfiltrated during the breach. In line with its obligations as a National Key Point, the airline has formally reported the incident to the State Security Agency (SSA) and the South African Police Service (SAPS). It has also notified the Information Regulator under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) as a precautionary measure. SAA Group CEO John Lamola assured the public that the security of customer data and the integrity of its business systems are of paramount importance. 'This incident has prompted us to act swiftly to contain the disruption, restore services, and initiate a comprehensive investigation,' Lamola said. 'Our robust business continuity measures ensured operational stability, particularly for our valued customers.' Lamola reaffirmed the airline's commitment to transparency and diligence, emphasising ongoing cooperation with law enforcement and cyber forensic teams. He noted that SAA will notify affected individuals directly if the investigation uncovers any data compromise. 'We are taking every necessary step to determine the root cause of this incident, strengthen our security framework, and mitigate any potential risks,' he added. The breach marks one of the most notable cyber events to affect a South African state-owned enterprise in 2025, and comes at a time when national infrastructure and critical services face mounting cybersecurity threats. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
AELF Acquires Airbus A330-300 on Lease to South African Airways
Announcement Made at ISTAT Americas Convention PHOENIX, ARIZONA / / March 3, 2025 / During the ISTAT Americas annual convention in Phoenix today, Aircraft Engine Lease Finance, Inc ("AELF") announced it has acquired an A330-300 on lease to South African Airways; the 2016 vintage aircraft bears serial number 1754. "This A330-300 acquisition presented a unique opportunity to connect our recent activities in South Africa and our extensive experience with A330s," said Joe Cirillo, Chief Commercial Officer. "South African Airways is a long-standing flag carrier on a positive trajectory, which we are very proud to add to our roster of valued airline partners." AELF has recently acquired, leased and financed several 737-800s in of South Africa and elsewhere, and owns a leased fleet of A330-200s. "SAA is pleased and grateful at the renewal of its partnership with AELF as we grow and modernise our fleet in light of the exciting prospecting beckoning our industry here in Africa and beyond," added John Lamola, CEO of South African Airways. The transaction was arranged by the Dutch firm Arena Aviation Capital. "This transaction is our first with AELF who we congratulate with the acquisition and smooth professional deal closing" said Erik Dahmen, Chief Commercial Officer of Arena. "Moreover, it is a testimony to our desire to add value to and generate more revenue from third party services, apart from traditional aircraft lease management." About the AELF Aircraft Engine Lease Finance Inc. ("AELF") is an experienced commercial aircraft lessor. Based in Chicago, AELF offers customized and flexible financing solutions to airlines and commercial aircraft operators worldwide. AELF has been in operation for a decade and is continually expanding its commercial aircraft and engine portfolio, with a strong current focus on the 737NG market. About South African Airways With 90 years in the skies, South African Airways (SAA) is the most awarded Skytrax airline in Africa and the proud carrier of the South African flag, linking domestic, regional and international destinations. About Arena Aviation Capital Arena Aviation Capital is a globally recognized aircraft leasing and asset management company, specializing in structuring and managing aircraft investments. Arena, with its main offices in Amsterdam and Dublin, today manages over 50 aircraft and engine assets leased to 25 airline customers in Europe, North & South America, Africa and Asia. With a commitment to excellence and innovation, Arena Aviation Capital partners with investors to provide tailored solutions in aircraft leasing and asset management. For more information, visit Contact Information Amy Phillips communications@ SOURCE: Aircraft Engine Lease Finance, Inc. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Sign in to access your portfolio
