FlySafair Responds to Pilot Action, Affirms Commitment to Passengers and Constructive Engagement
We thank our teams both on the aircraft and on the ground for their tireless commitment and hard work to ensure that disruptions are minimised as far as possible.
While FlySafair has opted not to publicly share the full details of current offers out of discretion toward our pilot team, we believe it is important—particularly given recent public commentary—to outline some key facts that clarify the company’s position and the business realities we face.
Competitive Pay and Working Conditions
FlySafair pilots are among the best-compensated professionals in the country. Our Captains earn, between R1.8 and R2.3 million annually—placing them well within the top 1% of earners in South Africa. Many pilots earn more than members of FlySafair’s Executive Committee. These salaries are regularly benchmarked against those at other local airlines and are higher than most.
In terms of workload, FlySafair Captains spent an average of 63 hours last month in the cockpit flying passengers. This is well within regulatory limits set by the Civil Aviation Authority, IATA, and ICAO, which cap flight duty at 100 hours per month. Additional responsibilities such as training and office time are factored in, as is standby duty—where pilots must be ready to fly at short notice—which is served from home under minimal restrictions.
The Nature of the Dispute
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.
On the Rostering System
A second area of contention is the pilot roster system implemented by FlySafair at the start of the year. 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.
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.
A Reasoned Position
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.
