Image Source: Bob Adams, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A 12-day pilot strike at FlySafair, one of South Africa’s leading low-cost airlines, has officially ended following a mediated agreement with the union Solidarity under the oversight of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA). The resolution ushers in improved compensation, fixed rostering rules, and operational certainty.
What Pilots Gained
Under the new agreement:
- Salary increases will phase in over four years: 6%, 6.5%, 6.8%, and 6.9% respectively.
- Pilots will continue to receive annual upward adjustments to travel, medical, and accommodation allowances.
- Paid overtime compensation applies to hours flown beyond 65 per month, addressing fatigue and workload concerns.
- A one-off ex gratia payment equal to 15% of monthly salary will compensate for earnings lost during the “no work, no pay” period.
Scheduling Stability Secured
The dispute also exposed chronic issues with FlySafair’s rostering system, which pilots argued lacked predictability and eroded work-life balance. Civil unrest cantered on vague “soft rules” allowing management wide discretion. The new deal replaces these with “hard rules”, including:
- At least one 60-hour weekend off every six weeks (equivalent to nine weekends off per year).
- Minimum 10 days off per month.
- Workers required to serve on their rest days can reclaim leave the following month.
These reforms aim to provide pilots with stability and fairness in their scheduling and relieve sustained fatigue burden.
Solidarity on the Outcome
Solidarity’s deputy general secretary, Helgard Cronjé, acknowledged the agreement as the closest possible compromise but reaffirmed that trust in FlySafair’s management remains fragile. “There are no winners in this process,” he stated, emphasizing the deal addresses only the most basic pilot rights.
The union also called for binding written guarantees of scheduling reforms, warning against any return to opaque, employer-driven shift allocations.
🛫FlySafair Ready to Regain Momentum
The airline has confirmed that all aircraft crew are returning to normal operations and that the full flight schedule will resume soon. Chief Marketing Officer Kirby Gordon projected that increasing seat availability will stabilize fares in the coming weeks, easing financial strain on South African travellers.
Although the agreement closes a disruptive chapter, both parties have signalled caution. Solidarity noted that if management’s guard remains rigid, further labour unrest could result, threatening FlySafair’s operational continuity and industry reputation.
