Update: 3:30pm | 16 July 2025
FlySafair announced that it would be scheduling flight changes as a precautionary measure after labour negotiations with its pilots reached a stalemate earlier today.
According to the South African domestic airline, the changes will affect selected flights departing between Tuesday, 22 July, and Monday, 28 July 2025.
‘Customers whose flight times have been affected will be contacted using the contact details provided at the time of booking,’ FlySafair explained in its statement.
‘Customers are also encouraged to check the status of their bookings or make changes at no additional cost to more convenient alternative flights via the Manage Booking portal on the FlySafair website.’
The airline added that these pre-planned changes are being put in place to ‘ensure the best possible experience’ for its customers.
‘FlySafair will continue efforts to minimise inconvenience and maintain safe, reliable services during this period,’ the statement concluded. ‘The airline thanks customers for their patience and understanding.’
FlySafair could soon face turbulence on the ground as talks with its pilots have reached a dead end. The airline confirmed today, 16 July, that its ongoing negotiations with the trade union Solidarity have stalled, triggering the formal process for a potential strike.
With the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) now involved, a strike certificate has been issued. This document grants pilots the legal right to embark on protected industrial action after giving 72 hours’ notice, according to several reports.
The final strike rules are expected to be determined tomorrow, 17 July, paving the way for a possible work stoppage later this week.
Solidarity, which represents around 200 of FlySafair’s pilots – roughly two-thirds of the airline’s flight crew – confirmed that its members had overwhelmingly rejected FlySafair’s final offer: a 5.7% salary increase along with other minor compensation adjustments.
The wage dispute has been brewing for three months. According to Solidarity Deputy General Secretary Helgard Cronje, the breakdown in talks reflect a broader dissatisfaction among pilots over working conditions and pay scales.
FlySafair has yet to announce contingency plans in the event of a strike. Passengers planning to travel in the coming days are advised to monitor updates closely.
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Picture: @FlySafair / X
