update (04 August 2025): FlySafair has confirmed that the strike action by a portion of its pilot workforce has officially come to an end. This follows the signing of a formal agreement between airline management and Solidarity today, concluding several weeks of intensive engagement under the guidance of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA).
This development means that FlySafair willbegin restoring full capacity to the market. With all aircraft returning to active duty and schedules being normalised, the airline anticipates a stabilisation of airfares in the coming weeks as more seats become available across the network.
update (31 July 2025): FlySafair announced that it continues to operate a stable but reduced flight schedule.
update (30 July 2025): Due to ongoing industrial action by some of FlySafair's pilots, a number of flights scheduled for Friday, 01 August 2025, have been cancelled.
- FA163 – Friday, 01 August 2025 at 13:50 – Durban to Cape Town – CANCELLED
- FA178 – Friday, 01 August 2025 at 12:00 – Cape Town to Durban – CANCELLED
- FA179 – Friday, 01 August 2025 at 18:15 – Durban to Cape Town – CANCELLED
- FA184 – Friday, 01 August 2025 at 17:55 – Cape Town to Durban – CANCELLED
- FA185 – Friday, 01 August 2025 at 20:35 – Durban to Cape Town – CANCELLED
- FA214 – Friday, 01 August 2025 at 16:20 – Johannesburg to Cape Town – CANCELLED
- FA463 – Friday, 01 August 2025 at 10:25 – Cape Town to Durban – CANCELLED
- FA306 – Friday, 01 August 2025 at 11:30 – Cape Town to Lanseria – CANCELLED
- FA462 – Friday, 01 August 2025 at 07:15 – Durban to Cape Town – CANCELLED
- FA315 – Friday, 01 August 2025 at 09:00 – Lanseria to Cape Town – CANCELLED
If your flight has been affected, FlySafair will contact you directly via email and SMS using the contact details provided when booking.
According to FlySafair, the airline operates a stable but reduced flight schedule on 30 July 2025.
update (29 July 2025): FlySafair confirmed earlier today that it operates a stable but reduced flight schedule.
update (29 July 2025): FlySafair has announced that it continues to operate a stable but reduced flight schedule, with more pilots returning to duty daily. Despite limited seat availability under the scaled-back operations, flight reliability remains high, helping to restore customer confidence during the ongoing pilot strike.
The dispute between FlySafair and members of the Solidarity trade union remains unresolved. Union members have voted to reject the airline's latest offer, primarily over disagreements related to proposed fixed scheduling rules aimed at improving pilots’ work-life balance. According to FlySafair, these rules would significantly reduce the airline’s ability to schedule crews efficiently, potentially affecting both operational flexibility and passenger service.
In response, the airline has suggested forming an independently chaired joint roster committee, including both pilot and company representatives. This committee would be responsible for testing and evaluating new scheduling rules in real-time, with a focus on balancing productivity, safety, and crew wellbeing.
update (28 July 2025): Strike is ongoing - pilots have rejected FlySafair’s offer and demand new conditions on rostering.
Financial agreement on salary is close, but scheduling remains unresolved.
Flight operations remain largely stable for now, though future disruptions are possible if staff reach legal flight hour limits or talks stall.
update (24 July 2025): FlySafair announced this morning that is operating as scheduled today, despite the ongoing pilot labour dispute. The airline advises customers to check Manage My Booking or the Travel Updates page for the latest on its flights.
update (23 July 2025): FlySafair has confirmed that all scheduled flights for 23 July 2025 are operating as planned, despite continued industrial action by some pilots represented by Solidarity. The airline is running a reduced but stable schedule, which was proactively introduced last week to minimize disruption. Affected passengers were notified in advance via SMS and email.
On 22 July 2025, FlySafair successfully operated 95.2% of its adjusted flight schedule on time- Two of the airline's approximately 120 daily flights were operated by South African Airways (SAA) under a passenger protection agreement.
FlySafair remains committed to a constructive resolution and continues to engage with Solidarity through CCMA-led mediation, taking place today. Customers are advised to check the "Manage My Booking" tool or Travel Updates page on the airline's for the latest information. Airport teams are on standby to assist with rebookings, refunds, and travel alternatives.
update (22 July 2025): FlySafair has confirmed that all flights scheduled for today (22 July 2025) are currently operating as planned, despite ongoing industrial action by a segment of its pilots. The airline began flying a reduced schedule today, proactively communicated to affected passengers via SMS and email last week.
Only two flights were cancelled in advance: the 16:45 departure from Cape Town to Lanseria and the 19:30 return. All other services are fully crewed and operating normally.
FlySafair reiterates its commitment to resolving the dispute and will meet with the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) on 23 July 2025. The airline continues to engage in the mediation process in good faith and in full legal compliance.
Passengers are advised to check the latest updates via the “Manage My Booking” section or the Travel Updates page on Flysafair's website. Airport teams are available to assist with rebookings and refunds.
update (22 July 2025): Due to ongoing operational adjustments related to the pilot strike, FlySafair has confirmed that flight FA466 from Durban to Cape Town and flight FA467 from Cape Town to Durban, both scheduled for 22 July 2025, will now be operated by South African Airways (SAA). As a result, both flight numbers and departure times have changed.
- SA2967 (formerly FA466) will depart Durban at 17:00 and arrive in Cape Town at 19:15.
- SA2968 (formerly FA467) will depart Cape Town at 19:50 and arrive in Durban at 21:55.
Passengers are advised that check-in must be completed at the SAA counters. These counters open 2 hours before departure and close 30 minutes prior to take-off. Please note that online check-in is not available, so travelers are encouraged to arrive at the airport well in advance.
update (22 July 2025): According to FlySafair only two flights on 22 July 2025 have been cancelled due to the pilot strike (FA327 - 16:45 CPT > HLA & FA326 - 19:30 HLA > CPT). All other flights will operate as scheduled.
update (21 July 2025): FlySafair Chief Marketing Officer Kirby Gordon has confirmed that despite the ongoing pilot strike, the vast majority of flights are still operating on time, with only around 12% affected. On the first day of the strike (21 July 2025), approximately 8% of flights were canceled, and the airline had already proactively adjusted its schedule for 22–28 July to minimize disruption. Affected passengers have been notified and can rebook or claim credit free of charge via the FlySafair website. The strike, led by union Solidarity, stems from disputes over wages and pilot fatigue, with FlySafair offering a 5.7% increase versus the pilots’ demand for 10.5%.
update (21 July 2025): FlySafair has confirmed that while most scheduled operations are continuing, approximately 26 flights were cancelled today after several pilots unexpectedly withdrew from duty amid the ongoing labour dispute. The two-week strike, supported by up to 90% of union-affiliated pilots, officially began this morning and is set to run until 05 August 2025. The airline has implemented a lockout and continues to offer free rebooking for affected passengers. Mediation efforts by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) remain in limbo, with Solidarity accepting the offer and FlySafair yet to respond. Travellers are advised to monitor flight status closely, as further disruptions may occur.
update (19 July 2025): FlySafair is now facing a two-week protected strike by over 200 pilots represented by the Solidarity union, scheduled to commence on Monday, 21 July 2025, and continue until 05 August 2025. The strike follows a deadlock in wage negotiations, with pilots demanding a 10–10.5% increase and improved working conditions, while the airline has offered a 5.7% raise. FlySafair has assured passengers that it will continue operating flights using non-striking crew and adjusted schedules, but travel disruptions remain a possibility. Affected travellers are being contacted directly and may rebook or change their flights free of charge via the airline’s Manage Booking tool. Mediation efforts are ongoing under the oversight of South Africa's Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA).
South African low-cost airline FlySafair has implemented precautionary changes to its flight schedule for selected domestic departures in South Africa between Tuesday, 22 July and Monday, 28 July 2025. The move is a proactive response to the growing likelihood of a pilot strike, aimed at minimizing travel disruption and maintaining overall service reliability.
This operational adjustment follows the recent rejection of FlySafair’s final wage offer by pilots represented by the Solidarity union. Pilots are calling for a significantly higher salary increase and improvements in working conditions. On 17 July 2025, the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) issued a strike certificate, legally allowing pilots to initiate industrial action with just 72 hours' notice.
Although no formal strike notice has been served yet, FlySafair has chosen to act preemptively to protect passengers’ travel plans.
Impacted customers will be directly contacted via the email address or phone number provided at the time of booking. FlySafair also recommends that all travellers scheduled to fly during this period regularly check their booking status and, if necessary, reschedule their flights at no extra charge.
Passengers can make changes to affected bookings by visiting the airline’s Manage Booking portal.
Despite these temporary changes, FlySafair remains committed to safe, efficient, and reliable operations across its network of domestic routes. The airline extends its gratitude to customers for their understanding and patience during this time of operational adjustment.
Travel Tips:
- Check your email and SMS regularly for flight notifications from FlySafair.
- Use the FlySafair's website to rebook flights or check schedules.
- Arrive at the airport early, as flights may be consolidated or delayed.
Subscribe for updates:
Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly updates, border info, road alerts, and travel inspiration for Southern Africa.
No comments:
Post a Comment