Trade union Solidarity has served papers on cash-strapped airline South African Airways (SAA) and the ministers of finance and public enterprises, asking a court to put the flag carrier in business rescue.
The union made the announcement at a media briefing on Thursday, saying it has requested an urgent court date to hear the case. It said it served government with a notice of the application on Wednesday and has not yet received a response.
Solidarity's chief operating officer, Dirk Hermann, told journalists that the airline was "hopelessly insolvent" and nearing "total collapse".
He said that business rescue would afford the airline a measure of stability, saying it was heading towards liquidation. He said that he hoped the state would not oppose the application.
Solidarity's announcement comes as a strike for higher wages by the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa and the South African Cabin Crew Association entered its seventh day. The two unions are currently meeting SAA management for mediation at dispute resolution body the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration.