Pretoria — Strike action by the National Transport Movement (NTM) has not impacted operations at South African Airways (SAA), the airline said on Friday.

This as NTM members picketed outside the airline offices in Kempton Park.

SAA spokesperson Tlali Tlali said a handful of individuals gathered at the parking area, outside SAA's head office, from time to time were addressed by their leaders.

"There has been no impact whatsoever on SAA's operations as a result of the strike. We emphasise that no flights have been cancelled or delayed as a result of the industrial action," said Tlali.

Previously the NTM had served a notice to the airline for strike action last Friday.

In December, SAA met with NTM at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) to conclude the verification process that would allow the union to be recognised by the airline.

However, the CCMA confirmed that the union has 1,111 members and needed to have 1220 to meet 30% of 4065 employees who are part of the bargaining unit. This therefore confirmed that NTM failed to meet the 30% threshold. This was the reason the NTM remains unrecognised at SAA.

Last week, the airline said it was committed to business-continuity and has a contingency plan to avoid any unnecessary inconvenience to customers.