[5] On 13 February 2020, South African Express entered the Business Rescue process, a local form of bankruptcy protection.

On 28 April 2020, the business rescue practitioners submitted an application to the Pretoria High Court for the liquidation of the airline.

[7] The court approved a provisional liquidation,[8] with stakeholders being given until 9 June 2020 to voice objections before a final dissolution of the company.

[9] In November 2020, the moveable assets of the company such as the eight Bombardiers, spare parts and furniture were to be sold via an online auction managed by GoIndustry DoveBid Africa.

[10]: 20  The non-moveable assets such as the routes, landing rights and existing licences would be sold to FlySax, a consortium consisting of a key investor and ex-SA Express staff.