Flights cancelled as FlySafair pilot strike turns ugly
The FlySafair pilot strike is getting increasingly acrimonious, as the group was forced to cancel 8% of its flights due to late notice from pilots who are demanding increases to their R2 million pay packages.
Trade union Solidarity announced last week that its members would launch strike action this week after it rejected a 5.7% increase in salaries.
Solidarity demanded a 10.5% increase on base salaries and additional flight pay and bonuses. 90% of pilots voted in favour of the strike.
Although Solidarity gave FlySafair notice of a one-day strike, the airline hit back with a notice that it would lock out the pilots for seven days, which could extend to another seven days.
In response, Solidarity extended its strike notice to 14 days as well. The CCMA has offered to mediate the matter again, but Solidarity has accused FlySafair of refusing to attend.
“Solidarity’s one-day notice was aimed at forcing the company back to the negotiating table, but FlySafair has now escalated the dispute, which could last for weeks,” the union said.
“If 90% of a company’s key personnel want to strike, something is seriously wrong. Solidarity is calling on FlySafair to return to the negotiating table.”
It added that its pilots are asking for their salaries to be rectified after cuts during Covid, and for employment conditions to be changed to allow for rest and family time.
FlySafair said its operations will continue largely as scheduled from Mondau, 21 July, but warned that 8% of flights have been cancelled.
“These flights were assigned to pilots who had confirmed their availability to fly, but who late last night reported that they would not fly,” it said.
“All other flights are operating as planned, and affected customers have been contacted directly using details provided at the time of booking.”
“Should there be further disruptions, customers will be notified promptly.”
R1.8 million to R2.3 million pay packages
Despite not sharing full details of the offers out of discretion for its pilots, the company has clarified its position and the business realities it faces.
FlySafair said captains earn between R1.8 million and R2.3 million annually, placing them well within the top 1% of earners in South Africa.
Some pilots earn more than members of FlySafair’s Executive Committee. The salaries are benchmarked against other local airlines and are higher than most, it said.
The company noted that its captains spent an average of 63 hours last month in the cockpit flying passengers.
This is within the regulatory limits set by the Civil Aviation Authority, IATA, and ICAO, which cap flight duty at 100 hours per month.
Additional responsibilities, including training, office time and standby time—where pilots must be ready to fly at short notice—are already factored in and are served at home under minimal restrictions.
It noted that the 10.5% increase in base salaries, as well as additional flight pay and bonuses, amounts to an overall 20% increase in the cost to the company.
FlySafair said that this is an unsustainable escalation for any company. It noted that its current offer of a 5.7% increase is 1.5 percentage points above inflation, and already includes other benefits and a bonus.
It said that the offer was made in good faith and to balance fair employee compensation with the airline’s financial sustainability and customer affordability.
Another area of contention is the pilot roster system implemented by FlySafair at the start of the year.
The airline said that the system aligns with global industry standards and is in force by every other airline in South Africa.
It allows pilots to receive their full monthly rosters by the 20th of the preceding month. It includes a preferential leave bidding process and a structured marketplace to facilitate duty swaps.
“The system was designed to improve operational efficiency and provide pilots with maximum flexibility,” said FlySafair.
“Attempts by Solidarity to alter or limit this system would strip away its key benefits, undermining FlySafair’s ability to compete with other airlines and maintain cost-effective operations.”
Pilots have said that the rostering system is inflexible and disruptive. However, this is a separate matter, which Solidarity warned could trigger separate strike action.
FlySafair said consultations have been held regarding the rostering system since March 2024.
However, it said that the demands made are economically unfeasible and would erode its competitive advantage.
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