Turbulence Ahead: FlySafair Reschedules Flights as Pilot Strike Looms

Passengers across South Africa are being urged to double-check their FlySafair bookings this week, as tensions between the airline and its pilots boil over into possible strike action.

The low-cost airline has begun rescheduling flights between Tuesday 22 July and Monday 28 July 2025, following an ongoing wage dispute with pilots represented by the trade union Solidarity.

While the final call on whether the strike will proceed is still pending, FlySafair isn’t taking chances. In a bid to minimise chaos at airports, the airline has taken the preemptive step of moving selected flights and informing affected passengers via email and SMS.

What Sparked the Dispute?

At the heart of the looming strike is a 5.7% wage increase that FlySafair offered to its pilots — an offer firmly rejected by the vast majority of Solidarity members.

But this isn’t just about the money.

According to Solidarity, the decision to strike stems from deeper frustrations. Pilots have expressed concerns over the airline’s leave policy and a controversial new rostering system, which they argue disrupts work-life balance and adds stress to an already demanding profession.

Solidarity warned that while the current strike threat is wage-related, the ongoing roster issues could become the flashpoint for a separate strike in the near future.

“The Public is Paying the Price”

Helgard Cronjé, deputy general secretary of Solidarity, put it bluntly: “The poor relationship between management and pilots has now led to the public bearing the consequences of unresolved workplace conflict.”

The union and airline are expected to finalise strike rules on Thursday 17 July under the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA). Once those are in place, pilots could legally strike after giving 72 hours’ notice — a right granted by a certificate already issued to the union.

FlySafair Responds

Kirby Gordon, FlySafair’s Chief Marketing Officer, confirmed the airline is taking proactive steps to avoid last-minute surprises. Passengers affected by the changes will be contacted and given the option to rebook at no additional cost via the FlySafair website.

“We don’t know if a strike will happen or how long it would last,” said Gordon, “but we’re acting early to avoid disruption.”

He added that the airline deeply values its pilots and is committed to finding a resolution that balances staff wellbeing with operational stability.

Could Cabin Crew be Next?

FlySafair’s challenges may be far from over. The airline is also currently locked in separate salary negotiations with its cabin crew, also represented by Solidarity. If that process collapses, passengers could face an even wider wave of disruptions.

What This Means for You

With school holidays coming to an end and business travel picking up, the timing of this dispute couldn’t be worse for travellers relying on FlySafair’s extensive domestic network.

Passengers are urged to:

• Keep an eye on booking updates via SMS or email

• Check flight status on FlySafair’s website regularly

• Use the rebooking option if travel plans need adjusting

Public Reaction

On social media, frustrated flyers have taken to X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, sharing confusion and disappointment about shifting flight times. Others have voiced support for the pilots, saying burnout and lack of rest in the airline industry are too often ignored.

One user wrote: “I get it — pilots aren’t robots. If the roster system is breaking them, it’s breaking our safety too.”

A Bigger Issue in the Skies?

This latest dispute is part of a broader trend of labour tension in the global aviation industry, where post-pandemic recovery has collided with exhausted workforces and rising inflation.

In South Africa, the FlySafair dispute raises bigger questions about how budget airlines can balance

If you’re flying FlySafair this week, check your email, stay flexible, and keep your travel plans light — just in case turbulence hits before take-off.

Source:Business Tech 

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