Reports: S.African Airways in Crisis as Boss Resigns

Embattled national carrier South African Airways was thrown deeper into crisis Friday, after its chairwoman Cheryl Carolus and six board members resigned, local media reported.

Carolus told the Business Day newspaper that it was "with a lot of careful thought and consideration" that she had taken this "extraordinary" step.

She cited a breakdown in the relationship with the airline's main shareholder, the South African government, as the main reason for her decision.

"We have come a long way in our communication with the government in understanding SAA (South African Airways) and developing a 20-year plan for the airline," she said.

The reasons for the resignation of six of the company's 14 board members were not stated.

Carolus took the helm of the already troubled state-owned company in 2009.

The carrier has a long history of turning to the Treasury for financial aid.

Earlier this year the airline asked for a cash injection of up to six billion rand ($726 million, 562 million euro).

A decision on whether to grant the money has not yet been taken.

"I believe in the airline, I believe it is a critical national asset at the southern tip of the hemisphere," Carolus said, adding: "It will always be an airline that is tough to run."