FlySafair

In this article we are going to explore FlySafair and everything you need to know about it. From its origin to its impact on society, through its different applications and advances in research, we will delve into the fascinating world of FlySafair. We will learn about its benefits, its challenges and the future perspectives that open around it. Through this article, we aim to offer you a complete and updated overview of FlySafair, so that you can understand its importance and how it can affect your daily life. Get ready to discover everything about FlySafair and immerse yourself in a journey of knowledge and learning!

This article is about the South African low-cost carrier. For the South African charter airline, see Safair.
FlySafair
IATA ICAO Call sign
FA SFR SAFAIR
FoundedAugust 2013 (2013-08)
Commenced operations16 October 2014 (2014-10-16)[1]
Operating bases
Fleet size34
Destinations14
Parent companySafair Operations (Pty) Ltd
HeadquartersJohannesburg, South Africa
Key peopleElmar Conradie (CEO)
ProfitIncrease R500 million
EmployeesIncrease 1,300 (June 2022)[2][failed verification]
Websitewww.flysafair.co.za

FlySafair is an international low-cost airline based in Johannesburg, South Africa. It is a subsidiary of Safair and flies to 14 destinations in Sub-Saharan Africa. The company slogan is For The Love Of Flying.

History

The airline was established in August 2013 and was granted approval by the South African Air Service Licensing Council to launch operations with ten daily services between Johannesburg's O. R. Tambo International Airport and Cape Town International Airport.[3] The airline had plans to begin operations in October 2013.[4] However, on 8 October 2013, the High Court of South Africa granted an interim court order preventing the airline from starting operations, following an application by rival carriers,[5] on the basis that it did not meet the legal requirement of 75% local ownership. Substantial restructuring of ownership took place and FlySafair's inaugural flight eventually took place on 16 October 2014.[1]

In 2017, the airline announced a partnership with the South African Rugby Union (SARU), making it the official domestic carrier for the Springboks and SA Rugby. The deal was extended for four years in February 2020.[6][7]

In October 2022, the airline went through a rebrand with redesigns to their logo and new livery.[citation needed] The International Air Services Council of South Africa also approved 11 new international routes.[8][9]

Destinations

FlySafair serves the following 14 destinations :[10]

Country City Airport Notes
Mauritius Port Louis Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport
Namibia Windhoek Hosea Kutako International Airport
South Africa Bloemfontein Bram Fischer International Airport
Cape Town Cape Town International Airport Hub
Durban King Shaka International Airport Hub
East London King Phalo Airport
George George Airport
Mbombela Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport
Gqeberha Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport
Johannesburg O. R. Tambo International Airport Hub
Lanseria International Airport
Tanzania Zanzibar Abeid Amani Karume International Airport
Zimbabwe Harare Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport
Victoria Falls Victoria Falls Airport

Interline agreements

FlySafair interlines with the following airlines:

Fleet

FlySafair Boeing 737-400 in the airline's 2013 livery
FlySafair Boeing 737-800 in the airline's 2015 livery

As of December 2024, FlySafair operates the following aircraft:[11]

FlySafair fleet
Aircraft In service Orders Passengers Notes
Boeing 737-400 4 — 165
Boeing 737-800 29 1 189
Total 33 1 —

Services

In-flight service

FlySafair offers food and drinks as a buy-on-board programme, partnering up with Tourvest. FlySafair also offers a monthly magazine on board named In Flight. It was also the first airline in South Africa to offer card payments aboard their flights. On their international routes they offer a pre-packed meal at no charge, with other food and drink options for sale. For hygienic reasons, the In Flight magazine is currently only in digital format.

FlySafair Boeing 737-800 in the airline's 2022 livery

Accidents and incidents

  • On 12 November 2022, a South African Airways Airbus A320 (registered ZS-SZJ) was towed and collided with a parked FlySafair Boeing 737-800 (registered ZS-SJH) at O. R. Tambo International Airport.[12][13] No passengers were onboard either aircraft at the time. The 737’s empennage section and A320's wingtip were damaged.[14][15] Both aircraft were returned to service shortly after the incident.
  • On 21 April 2024, a FlySafair Boeing 737-800 (registered ZS-FGE), operating flight FA212 from Johannesburg to Cape Town, lost one of its left main landing gear, #2 wheel on take-off. The aircraft burnt fuel after being made aware of the missing wheel, and made a low pass over O.R. Tambo International Airport for emergency services to assess damage. The wheel affected was one of the two attached to the left rear landing strut. Unfortunately, the landing resulted in further damage to the rim of the remaining wheel assembly. There were no injuries reported among the passengers or crew on board, but the incident did cause delays at the airport as crews worked to clear the runway.[16]

Aviation licence

In November 2024, the South African International Air Services Council investigation found that ASL Aviation Holdings, based in Ireland, owns 74.86% of FlySafair through an investment holding company. This is in contravention of local laws, which require a minimum of 75% local shareholding.[17] In December 2024, South Africa's domestic authority ruled the same. Sanction has yet to be determined.[18]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Ensor, Linda (17 October 2014). "FlySafair will bring needed competition". Business Day. Johannesburg. Archived from the original on 20 October 2014. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
  2. ^ "Home". flysafair.co.za.
  3. ^ Moores, Victoria (16 April 2014). "South African startup FlySafair secures license". Air Transport World. Archived from the original on 17 April 2014.
  4. ^ "FlySafair - ch-aviation.com". Ch-aviation.ch. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  5. ^ "FlySafair grounded before first flight". Mg.co.za. 8 October 2013. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  6. ^ "FlySafair Scores the Springboks". www.firstcarrental.co.za. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  7. ^ "FlySafair official domestic carrier for the Springboks". www.news24.com. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  8. ^ Smith, Compiled by Carin. "FlySafair adds 11 new destinations including Seychelles, Victoria Falls". Fin24. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  9. ^ Reporter, B. R. "First Air Belgium now FlySafair - South Africans have more options to fly". www.iol.co.za. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
  10. ^ "FlySafair - South Africa's True Low Cost Airline". www.FlySafair.co.za. Retrieved 21 October 2017.
  11. ^ "Airfleets aviation". www.airfleets.net. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
  12. ^ Reporter, Citizen (12 November 2022). "FlySafair plane struck by SAA aircraft in parking accident at OR Tambo airport". The Citizen. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  13. ^ Head, Tom (13 November 2022). "SAA technician accused of 'sleeping' during OR Tambo collision". The South African. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  14. ^ "Newsroom - South African Airways". www.flysaa.com. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  15. ^ Mthethwa, Cebelihle. "FlySafair aircraft struck by wingtip of SAA Airbus at OR Tambo airport". News24. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  16. ^ "WATCH | Wheel damage during take-off forces FlySafair plane to make emergency landing in Johannesburg". TimesLIVE. 21 April 2024. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  17. ^ Mahlaka, Ray (6 November 2024). "FlySafair faces uncertain future after failure to comply with shareholding laws". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  18. ^ Brederode, William. "Blow to FlySafair's domestic business after second regulator finds against it". Business. Retrieved 21 December 2024.

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