Pay war grounds 26 FlySafair flights as refunds roll out

FlySafair

Cape Town – Low-cost airline FlySafair has cancelled 26 flights — about 13% of its operations — as a pilots’ wage strike entered its second day.

Over 200 pilots are striking.

At the heart of the standoff is trade union Solidarity’s demand for a 10.5% increase on base salaries, along with flight pay and bonuses. According to FlySafair, the full package of demands would raise the overall cost to company by over 20% — a figure the airline says is unsustainable.

FlySafair has offered a 5.7% increase in base pay — 1.5% above inflation — which it says totals an 11.29% increase in cost to company when additional benefits are factored in.

On Monday, Kirby Gordon, chief marketing officer of the low-cost airline, said that FlySafair’s pilots are already some of the best-paid in South Africa.

He said that they earn between R1.8 and R2.3 million annually, some more than its executives.

Despite earlier commitments, several pilots withdrew from duty late on Sunday, leading to unplanned cancellations.

“It is with deep regret that we had to cancel some flights. Although we had commitment from several pilots that they intend to operate these flights, we had a number of them withdraw from duty late last night, which was obviously unanticipated.

“As a result of that, we were forced to cancel 26 of 174 flights today [Monday], leaving people to find other options to get from A to B,” Gordon said during an interview with Newzroom Afrika.

Refunds are being processed for affected passengers.

“I believe most of them have already been processed on our side, so it’s just a matter of bank clearing.”

The trade union Solidarity warned of further disruptions if negotiations, scheduled to begin only on Wednesday, are delayed.

The union hopes mediation will lead to meaningful engagement and improved working relations.

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