FlySafair has confirmed that while most of its flights are operating as scheduled, a number of services had to be cancelled yesterday (Monday 21 July 2025) after some pilots withdrew their availability at the last minute. The airline says all affected customers have been contacted directly and will be updated promptly should further disruptions occur.
The cancellations come amid ongoing industrial action by pilots represented by the Solidarity trade union. The dispute centers on pay and scheduling arrangements, with Solidarity demanding a 10.5% increase on base salaries along with additional bonuses and allowances. FlySafair says the combined demands would result in more than a 20% rise in overall costs - an escalation the airline calls “unsustainable.”
In response, the company has offered a 5.7% increase on base pay, which it says is 1.5% above inflation, as well as additional benefits that bring the total proposed increase to 11.29% on a cost-to-company basis.
“FlySafair pilots are among the best-compensated professionals in South Africa, with captains earning between R1.8 million and R2.3 million annually - placing them well within the top 1% of earners nationwide,” the airline said in a statement.
The carrier also defended its new rostering system, introduced earlier this year, which allows pilots to receive their full monthly schedules in advance and swap duties within regulatory limits.
The system, common across the global airline industry, is designed to improve efficiency and pilot flexibility, according to FlySafair.
The airline said it regrets the inconvenience caused to passengers and praised its staff for their efforts to minimise disruption.
“We remain fully committed to engaging with our pilots in good faith to find a resolution that balances fairness for employees with the sustainability of the airline and affordability for our customers,” FlySafair said.
The cancellations come amid ongoing industrial action by pilots represented by the Solidarity trade union. The dispute centers on pay and scheduling arrangements, with Solidarity demanding a 10.5% increase on base salaries along with additional bonuses and allowances. FlySafair says the combined demands would result in more than a 20% rise in overall costs - an escalation the airline calls “unsustainable.”
In response, the company has offered a 5.7% increase on base pay, which it says is 1.5% above inflation, as well as additional benefits that bring the total proposed increase to 11.29% on a cost-to-company basis.
“FlySafair pilots are among the best-compensated professionals in South Africa, with captains earning between R1.8 million and R2.3 million annually - placing them well within the top 1% of earners nationwide,” the airline said in a statement.
The carrier also defended its new rostering system, introduced earlier this year, which allows pilots to receive their full monthly schedules in advance and swap duties within regulatory limits.
The system, common across the global airline industry, is designed to improve efficiency and pilot flexibility, according to FlySafair.
The airline said it regrets the inconvenience caused to passengers and praised its staff for their efforts to minimise disruption.
“We remain fully committed to engaging with our pilots in good faith to find a resolution that balances fairness for employees with the sustainability of the airline and affordability for our customers,” FlySafair said.