FlySafair has confirmed that its flight operations remain largely unaffected despite ongoing strike action by a portion of its pilot workforce, with all scheduled departures proceeding as planned today.
The South African budget carrier implemented a reduced flight schedule last week as a proactive measure, ensuring passengers were notified well in advance of any timing changes via SMS and email. This strategic approach has helped minimize disruptions during the industrial action.
Only two flights faced cancellation yesterday – the 16:45 departure from Cape Town to Lanseria and the 19:30 return service from Lanseria to Cape Town. Affected passengers have been contacted and accommodated according to their preferences, with the airline’s airport teams standing by to assist with rebookings, refunds, and alternative travel arrangements.
All other scheduled services remain fully crewed and operating normally, providing relief for travelers during what could have been a significantly disruptive period.
FlySafair is scheduled to meet with the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) on Wednesday, 23 July, as part of ongoing efforts to resolve the labour dispute. The airline has strongly disputed claims that it refused to participate in the CCMA process, emphasizing its active engagement throughout the proceedings.
“FlySafair has actively engaged with the CCMA throughout the process, as required by law to obtain a protected strike certificate, and continues to participate in CCMA-facilitated discussions in good faith,” the airline stated in its media release.
Passenger support and communication
The airline has established multiple channels for passengers to stay informed about their travel plans. Customers can check flight status through the “Manage My Booking” section on flysafair.co.za and consult the Travel Updates page for the latest information.
Kirby Gordon, Chief Marketing Officer at FlySafair, acknowledged the stress that travel disruptions can cause passengers.
“We know that travel disruptions can be incredibly stressful, especially when plans are made well in advance,” Gordon said. “We’re truly sorry for the inconvenience this has caused and want to reassure our customers that we are doing everything in our power to restore full operations as quickly as possible.”
With the CCMA meeting scheduled for Wednesday, both the airline and its pilot workforce will have an opportunity to work toward a resolution through the formal mediation process. FlySafair’s management has expressed commitment to finding a “fair and sustainable resolution” to the ongoing dispute..
Passengers are advised to continue monitoring their flight status and remain flexible with travel plans until the industrial action is resolved.
