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FlySafair has confirmed that it cancelled a number of its scheduled flights on Sunday, following some of its pilots reporting at the eleventh hour that they will not be flying as scheduled as the strike continues.
Though the pilots did not report for duty, the airline said its operations remain largely as scheduled. The tensions between the company and its pilots continue to escalate as they demand a 10.5% salary increase, however, FlySafair has put 5.7% increase offer, of which solidarity rejects.
The airline has, due to the industrial action, faced some heat from the public, as a result they have decided to break their silence and explain the situation. According to FlySafair; its pilots are among the best-compensated professionals in the country.
It says its Captains earn, between R1.8 and R2.3 million annually; placing them well within the top 1% of earners in South Africa. The airline explained that many pilots earn more than members of FlySafair’s Executive Committee and that their salaries are regularly benchmarked against those at other local airlines and are higher than most.
“At the core of the current industrial action is a dispute over pay and scheduling. Solidarity has demanded a 10.5% increase on base salaries, as well as additional flight pay and bonuses. While this demand is already perceived as steep it’s important to note that when factoring in the additional demands, the total impact actually amounts to more than a 20% increase in overall cost to company—an unsustainable escalation for any company.
By contrast, the company’s current offer is a 5.7% increase on base pay which is 1.5% above inflation. This already substantial offer was made including other benefits (including a flight pay based bonus) which brings the total increase to 11.29% on a cost to company basis. This offer was made in good faith and with a view to balancing fair compensation for employees with the airline’s financial sustainability and customer affordability. This offer was designed to balance the other 1700 employees of the airline and the sustainability and resilience of the company with the demands of the pilots,” explained FlySafair.
The company said a second area of contention is the pilot roster system implemented by FlySafair at the start of the year. The airline says this system—standard across the global airline industry and in force in every other airline in South Africa—allows pilots to receive their full monthly rosters by the 20th of the preceding month, enabling personal planning and scheduling. It also includes a preferential leave bidding process and a structured marketplace to facilitate duty swaps within regulated flight and duty limits.
According to company, the system was designed to improve operational efficiency and provide pilots with maximum flexibility.
“Attempts by Solidarity to alter or limit this system would strip away its key benefits, undermining FlySafair’s ability to compete with other airlines and maintain cost-effective operations,” said the airline.
“FlySafair has worked to resolve these issues constructively and transparently. Consultations regarding the roster started in March 2024 to address the crew’s concerns. However, the demands being made are, in their current form, economically unfeasible and would erode the airline’s competitive advantage in the market. We have therefore had to take firm, but reasoned steps to protect the long-term viability of the business and the affordability of our fares for South African travellers.
We deeply regret the impact this situation is having on our loyal customers and the broader flying public. Our goal remains to reach a reasonable resolution quickly, restore trust, and continue building the airline so many South Africans rely on.
FlySafair remains fully committed to engaging with our pilots in good faith and finding a way forward that balances fairness for our people with our responsibility to our customers and the sustainability of the business,” said FlySafair.
The airline has since affirmed that all other flights are operating as planned and affected customers have been contacted directly using details provided at the time of booking. Should there be further disruptions, customers will be notified promptly.
