South Africa: FlySafair adjusts flight schedule as strike threat looms! [update #14]

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.

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South Africa: South African Airways (SAA) facing possible strike by its pilots! [update #3]

update (07 December 2024): South African Airways (SAA) has announced that the pilots' strike, which began on 05 December 2024, has been suspended as of 02:00 this morning. This resolution follows successful negotiations between SAA Executive Management and the South African Airways Pilots Association (SAAPA). The airline is expected to return to a 100% flight schedule by 08 December 2024, with more than 100 pilots returning to their duties by 12:00 today (07 December 2024). We'll keep you posted!

update (05 December 2024): According to Khaya Buthelezi, SAA's senior manager of corporate relations, flights to Perth in Australia and Sao Paulo in Brazil have both been canceled as no partner airlines could be found to transfer passengers to.

update (05 December 2024): The pilots started striking this morning at 07:00. According to SAA, the strike's length is unclear. It will impact all SAA-operated flights on domestic and regional routes, including Johannesburg to Cape Town, Durban, Gqeberha, Windhoek, and Mauritius. However, flights by SAA’s codeshare and Star Alliance partners will operate as scheduled.

Did you have a delayed or canceled flight? Get up to £520 compensation per passenger, no matter the ticket price. No win, no fee! [ad]

South African Airways (SAA) is facing a strike by its pilots. The airline announced on 03 December 2024  that after protracted wage negotiations it has received a notification from the SAA Pilots Association (SAAPA) expressing their intent to embark on a strike action commencing 05 December 2024. According to SAA, the management of the airline is doing everything possible to avoid a strike by pilots, or any disruptions to its operations, especially during the December peak season.

“SAA has only recently regained its operational viability after emerging from business rescue in 2021. In order not to disrupt this momentum, we are committed to ongoing negotiations with SAAPA and to do everything possible to reach a fair settlement that is mutually beneficial to both the pilots and the company”, said SAA Interim Chief Executive Officer Professor John Lamola.

We'll keep you posted!

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Pilots of Air Zimbabwe are on strike

update (21 April 2011): Air Zimbabwe resumes normal flights today (21 April 2011) after the strike by pilots ended yesterday following a Government intervention.
It is not clear over what period they would be paid the money, but it was revealed that the Zimbabwean Government agreed to pay the pilots about 67% of what they were owed.

update (20 April 2011): Stakeholders in Zimbabwe's tourism sector have called on the government to quickly resolve the Air Zimbabwe pilots impasse to enable easy access and travel of both local and international tourists during the Easter holidays.

update (18 April 2011): Air Zimbabwe is considering leasing additional aircraft from other airlines to service its regional and international routes which are currently not being serviced due to the strike by its pilots. Already Air Zimbabwe is leasing Zambezi Airways to service the Harare-Johannesburg route and recently added the Harare-Victoria Falls route. 

update (16 April 2011): Air Zimbabwe may collapse if the majority of shareholders (the Zimbabwe government is actually the majority shareholder!) do not chip in and re-capitalize the loss- making national carrier. Air Zimbabwe's acting chief executive, Innocent Mavhunga, told Xinhua (the official press agency of the government of China) when asked if it was possible for the airline to collapse in the same way Zambian Airways collapsed a few years ago: "Yes if nothing comes that can happen." 

update (15 April 2011): - via Zimbabwe Independent - Insiders revealed that the troubled national airline [Air Zim] was currently in talks with Zambezi Airways of Zambia to increase the frequency of its flights between Harare and Johannesburg, as well as servicing some domestic routes after failing to reach a deal with its striking pilots.
Two weeks ago, Air Zimbabwe leased an aircraft and flight crews from Zambezi Airways to service its Harare–Johannesburg route. The plane currently flies to Johannesburg three times a week. The insiders said if Zambezi Airways agreed to the proposal, daily flights to South Africa from Harare and domestic routes would resume. 

update (13 April 2011): Air Zimbabwe chairman Jonathan Kadzura has been quoted saying that his airline has come up with a stop-gap measure to hire planes from defunct, privately, owned Zambian Airways. It is not clear how many planes are targeted but the move includes Zambian Airways crew who were left in the cold after the airline abruptly stopped operating. It is also not clear yet if Zambian Airways will be allowed to lease the planes owing to the ongoing court cases.
Air Zimbabwe currently has only five operational aircraft – but the airline still employs 49 pilots and about 280 engineers to service one plane [link].
Air Zimbabwe currently has two operational Boeing 767s which service the Harare-London and Harare-Malaysia-China routes. Two Boeing 737s service regional and domestic routes and only one of three MA60s is currently active on the domestic routes.
Air Zimbabwe pilots recently insisted they will not return to work until management pays them their outstanding salaries. 

update (12 April 2011): Air Zimbabwe acting chief executive officer Innocent Mavhunga on Monday said the airline required at least $4 million to pay striking pilots. The salaries for pilots of the airline had been between $3 000 and $7 000, but as the performance of the airline declined, management saw it fit to reduce the salaries to between $1 000 and $1 500.

update (11 April 2011): Zimbabwe's president Robert Mugabe and his wife Grace took an Air Zimbabwe plane to Singapore on Friday (08 April) and striking pilots had to be recalled to fly them. Air Zimbabwe board chairman Jonathan Kadzura justified the move yesterday saying the flight was not a commercial one but the pilots were on “national duty.” The Standard is quoting him saying: "There is a difference of going on strike for commercial flights and flying on national duty. You can’t say no to national duty because yesterday’s flight wasn’t a commercial one."
Zimbabwean newspaper "Newsday" is reporting that there are still no signs of when the strike would end.
Pilots and flight crews at the ailing Air Zimbabwe have decided to continue their strike over unpaid salaries, despite a Labour Court ruling on Wednesday that their industrial action is illegal. 

update (08 April 2011): Zimbabwe's Labor Court has ruled that the strike by Air Zimbabwe pilots and other staff is illegal and has ordering them to return to work within 48 hours. No comments from the Zimbabwe Flight Crew Association and Air Zimbabwe managementhave been reported so far.

update (06 April 2011): Troubled Air Zimbabwe has again cancelled all its domestic, regional and international routes as "the pilots strike" has entered week three. In the meantime, the Air Zimbabwe management has reached out to the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Infrastructural Development to help pay up the nearly US$400 000 debt the airline owes in unpaid salaries and bonuses to its employees and to return all the attached assets.

update (05 April 2011): Air Zimbabwe's woes were compounded yesterday when workers were legally granted control of airline property, including management vehicles. Efforts to stop the attachment and subsequent auctioning of the assets failed at the Zimbabwean High Court yesterday.

update (04 March 2011): According to Voice of America, Robert Mugabe, who traveled on a special Air Zimbabwe flight to Zambia last week for a regional mini-summit, will order the carrier's management to pay part of the US$9 million in arrears on staff compensation. In the meantime, striking Air Zimbabwe pilots have threatened to attach the airline’s property over outstanding allowances and salaries amounting to US$9 million. 

update (31 March 2011): Air Zimbabwe's pilots are still on strike and the entire fleet is still grounded. The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions said yesterday that the government should fire Air Zimbabwe's management to resolve the strike...
btw - the management board of Air Zim is led by Jonathan Kadzura, a pig and poultry farmer, who hasn't got any background in the aviation industry. 

update (30 March 2011): Air Zimbabwe pilots are still on industrial action. All of Air Zimbabwe's planes are grounded and travellers who had booked flights with the national airline are being transferred to other airlines.

update (28 March 2011): The strike by Air Zimbabwe pilots entered its sixth day on Sunday with no end in sight. As a result, the airline has leased a private aircraft to fly the Harare-Johannesburg-Harare route as a stop-gap measure to ease pressure caused by the strike. The service is operating on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday with normal timings until further notice.

update (24 March 2011): Regarding refunds of tickets for Air Zimbabwe flights - newzimbabwe.com is quoting Air Zimbabwe’s General Manager for Europe David Mwenga: "When tickets are bought directly from Air Zimbabwe, we pay back the customers by cheque, it’s a quick process. But when a ticket is bought from a travel agent, it’s a lengthier process and we pay back the travel agent not the traveller. It's an industry practice".

The pilots of Zimbabwe's flag carrier Air Zimbabwe went on strike again on 22 March 2011 because of payment problems. The pilots are demanding the payment of their allowances over due since last year despite of the higher authorities promised to clear the outstanding balances regarding their services. It is estimated that the airline owes the workers unpaid salaries and allowances totaling around 9 million US Dollars. Talks to end the strike are under way, but no further information was made public.
As a result of the strike Air Zimbabwe had to cancel most of the domestic, regional and international flights.

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Air Zimbabwe canceled all international flights

UPDATE (28 Sept 2010): Air Zimbabwe's pilots have returned to work after a two-week strike!

Zimbabwe's national carrier Air Zimbabwe has suspended continental flights to:

• Lusaka
• Lubumbashi 

and all intercontinental flights to:

• London
• Kuala Lumpur
• Beijing

until further notice as a result of the the ongoing dispute between the airline and its pilots.
The regional services between:

• Harare <> Johannesburg
• Harare <> Bulawayo
• Harare <> Victoria Falls 

are currently rescheduled. Pls contact Air Zimbabwe for more info and updates.

UPDATE (17 Sept 2010): Air Zim's pilots are still on strike...