Business
FlySafair Gets a Lifeline Amid Ownership Compliance Deadline

South Africa’s largest airline, FlySafair, has been granted a critical one-year deadline to comply with local ownership laws or risk having its operating license suspended. The Department of Transport announced on Wednesday that the carrier must meet the regulatory requirements within 12 months from 23 January 2025.
Should FlySafair fail to comply within this timeframe, it will be summoned before the Domestic Air Services Council to justify why its license should not be suspended or revoked. Additionally, the airline is required to submit a term-sheet outlining its compliance milestones within 14 days and provide monthly updates to the council.
Also Read: Transport Minister Declines FlySafair’s Plea Amid Foreign Ownership Dispute
The issue stems from a December ruling by the council, which found that FlySafair does not comply with local ownership laws because 75% of its voting rights are held by South African trusts and companies, rather than by individuals. This ruling followed a formal complaint lodged by Global Airways Operations, the owner of rival domestic carrier Lift.
The potential grounding of FlySafair would have significant consequences for South Africa’s domestic aviation market. The airline currently controls 60% of the domestic market and transports an average of 30,000 passengers daily with its fleet of 34 aircraft. A suspension could leave hundreds of thousands of travelers stranded and disrupt the broader aviation ecosystem.
Also Read: FlySafair Ownership Controversy Could Ground Airline, Spike Flight Prices in South Africa
South Africa’s aviation industry has already faced considerable challenges in recent years, including the lengthy bankruptcy proceedings and downsizing of South African Airways, the collapse of state-owned carrier Mango, and the liquidation of Comair Ltd. in 2022. FlySafair’s situation adds to the sector’s ongoing instability, raising concerns about competition, connectivity, and passenger convenience.
As the airline navigates this regulatory hurdle, industry stakeholders and passengers alike will closely monitor its progress toward compliance. The outcome will not only determine FlySafair’s future but also have broader implications for South Africa’s domestic aviation landscape.
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