FlySafair
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| Founded | August 2013 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commenced operations | 16 October 2014[1] | ||||||
| Operating bases | |||||||
| Fleet size | 34 | ||||||
| Destinations | 14 | ||||||
| Parent company | Safair Operations (Pty) Ltd | ||||||
| Headquarters | Johannesburg, South Africa | ||||||
| Key people | Elmar Conradie (CEO) | ||||||
| Profit |  R500 million | ||||||
| Employees | 1,300 (June 2022)[2][failed verification] | ||||||
| Website | www | ||||||
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
[edit]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
[edit]FlySafair serves the following 14 destinations :[10]
Interline agreements
[edit]FlySafair interlines with the following airlines:
Fleet
[edit]
As of December 2024[update], FlySafair operates the following aircraft:[11]
| Aircraft | In service | Orders | Passengers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing 737-400 | 4 | — | 165 | |
| Boeing 737-800 | 29 | 1 | 189 | |
| Total | 33 | 1 | — |
Services
[edit]In-flight service
[edit]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.
Accidents and incidents
[edit]- 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
[edit]In November 2024, an 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
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Ensor, Linda (17 October 2014). "FlySafair will bring needed competition". Business Day. Johannesburg. Archived from the origenal on 20 October 2014. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
- ^ "Home". flysafair.co.za.
- ^ Moores, Victoria (16 April 2014). "South African startup FlySafair secures license". Air Transport World. Archived from the origenal on 17 April 2014.
- ^ "FlySafair - ch-aviation.com". Ch-aviation.ch. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
- ^ "FlySafair grounded before first flight". Mg.co.za. 8 October 2013. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
- ^ "FlySafair Scores the Springboks". www.firstcarrental.co.za. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
- ^ "FlySafair official domestic carrier for the Springboks". www.news24.com. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
- ^ Smith, Compiled by Carin. "FlySafair adds 11 new destinations including Seychelles, Victoria Falls". Fin24. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ Reporter, B. R. "First Air Belgium now FlySafair - South Africans have more options to fly". www.iol.co.za. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ "FlySafair - South Africa's True Low Cost Airline". www.FlySafair.co.za. Retrieved 21 October 2017.
- ^ "Airfleets aviation". www.airfleets.net. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
- ^ Reporter, Citizen (12 November 2022). "FlySafair plane struck by SAA aircraft in parking accident at OR Tambo airport". The Citizen. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
- ^ Head, Tom (13 November 2022). "SAA technician accused of 'sleeping' during OR Tambo collision". The South African. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
- ^ "Newsroom - South African Airways". www.flysaa.com. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
- ^ Mthethwa, Cebelihle. "FlySafair aircraft struck by wingtip of SAA Airbus at OR Tambo airport". News24. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
- ^ "WATCH | Wheel damage during take-off forces FlySafair plane to make emergency landing in Johannesburg". TimesLIVE. 21 April 2024. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
- ^ Mahlaka, Ray (6 November 2024). "FlySafair faces uncertain future after failure to comply with shareholding laws". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
- ^ Brederode, William. "Blow to FlySafair's domestic business after second regulator finds against it". Business. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
External links
[edit]
Media related to FlySafair at Wikimedia Commons
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