Media Centre

FlySafair regrets to confirm that flight FA 461 from Cape Town to Durban has to turn back to Cape Town due to a technical issue with the aircraft.

The aircraft has landed safely at Cape Town international.

FA 461 departed at 20:01 on the 20th of August 2019, 4 minutes ahead of the scheduled departure time. During the climb the cabin crew were alerted to an issue regarding the cabin pressurisation systems and decided to turn back to Cape Town and implement the required safety procedures.

In these circumstances crew are required to initiate full safety protocol, which the crew of FA 461 did with full professionalism. The pilots turned the aircraft back toward Cape Town and initiated what in aviation is referred to as a ‘rapid descent’.

The aircraft had reached an altitude of approximately 20 000 feet above sea level when the crew initiated the descent action, with the aim to return the aircraft to 10 000 feet above sea level, where pressurisation is not a concern.

In this process, as briefed at the beginning of each flight, oxygen masks deployed from overhead panels to provide enriched air for customers to breath during this quick descent.

The aircraft then made a return to Cape Town International Airport where they landed safely just before 21:00. As is procedure in these circumstances, the aircraft was met by assistance vehicles on the runway, so as to be able to attend to any issues should they have arisen. Nobody aboard required any medical assistance after landing.

During events like these, crew are required to prioritise their actions in the following order: Aviate, Navigate, and then Communicate. This was the exact order that the crew of FA 461 followed: prioritising the safety of the aircraft by initiating the descent, directing it back to Cape Town International, communicating with Air Traffic Control, and then with the customers on board. We thank our crew for the excellent work they did.

Naturally, an occurrence such as this can be very upsetting to those on board. As soon as FA 461 landed in Cape Town the customers were met by our ground teams who were there to see to the needs of all.

FlySafair immediately dispatched a standby aircraft to pick up the flight for those seeking to continue onto Durban, which most customers chose to do. The airline has also made counsellors available to any customers seeking to speak to someone professional regarding their experience.

We would like to extend a sincere apology to our customers for the experience they had this evening, and for the inconvenience of having to turn back and have their journey delayed in this way. 

The airline regards this as a top priority and an investigation into the cause of the technical issue is already underway, under the guidance and consultation of Boeing and the South African Civil Aviation Authority, which has already been informed of this issue.

Ends.

Contact: media@flysafair.co.za

It is with immense sadness that FlySafair confirms the passing of a customer on board our flight FA203 from Cape Town to Johannesburg this evening.

Just before final descent, the customer began to experience some discomfort. The seatbelt lights were illuminated, but customers in the row in front of him alerted our crew to a potential medical emergency. Our crew member was informed that this customer was undergoing cancer treatment and assisted with the required first aid as per their training, while calling for additional assistance from three doctors who were on board.

During the descent, the customer’s condition deteriorated and upon landing the crew member and doctors began resuscitation procedures. Paramedics were rushed to the customer as soon as the aircraft doors were opened, but tragically the customer passed away.

Our deepest sympathies are with the friends and family of this customer during this very difficult time, and with the passengers aboard this flight who bore witness to this incredibly sad event. We’d also like to express deep gratitude to our crew, the doctors on board, and the paramedic teams at OR Tambo who did everything within their power to save this man.

As with any incident of this nature the South African Police were informed and investigated the aircraft. Further updates and details on the event would need to be released by the police.

There were no delays or disruptions to any future flights.

Ends.

21 June 2019 – Durban. FlySafair regrets to confirm a tragic finding aboard one of our aircraft this morning. Flight FA 411 was scheduled to depart Durban for Johannesburg at 06:15 am. Upon final preparations of the waste management system for the departure of flight, our technical crew discovered what appeared to be an abandoned foetus within the system.

Immediately the teams alerted the relevant authorities to initiate investigations.

Unfortunately, this has resulted in delay to flight FA411 as passengers were asked to disembark the aircraft while FlySafair initiated procedures to recover their onward journey.

Beyond this we are unable to comment on any specifics relating to the finding which is now a police matter. The South African Police Service would be better poised to provide any further information.

“We will be doing everything within our power to aid authorities in the necessary investigations and thank our loyal customers for their patience with the resultant delay” says Kirby Gordon, Head of Sales and Distribution at FlySafair.

Ends.

For more information, visit our Travel Updates page.

FlySafair regrets to confirm that we are aware of evidence of an internal employee dispute which is being shared on social media.

FlySafair is proud to have created jobs over the past 5 years such that we are able to directly employ over 1000 people. The growth of our business has also created many more employment opportunities for other through our business partners. We pride ourselves on being a fair employer and on having a great culture.

The unfortunate incident being shared is, without proper context and offers a single-sided view of a complex matter. Disciplinary hearings are matters which we take very seriously and are dealt with the to the letter of, and in the spirit of, the law.

The affected employee has been advised of the appropriate channels afforded to them in order to appeal the decision taken by the company, should they feel that their dismissal was unfair.

Joint Statement by Mihlali Ndamase and FlySafair:

Tuesday 14 May 2019, Johannesburg. -  Mihlali and FlySafair have come together to discuss the events on Sunday night’s incident in great detail. It was identified that there were some unfortunate misunderstandings on both sides, but both parties are in agreement that discrimination, is an issue that we as South Africans need to continue to eradicate in order to build our future. The parties discussed the complexities of discrimination which can be explicit or implied, conscious or unconscious, deliberate or accidental, and agreed that there is a lot of work to be done in our country to bring attention to these nuances. Both also reached common ground on the fundamental importance of flawless aviation safety management and appropriate behaviour aboard an aircraft.

FlySafair expressed their regret at the situation. “We want all of our customers to have an excellent experience aboard our aircraft and to feel safe in all regards.” says Kirby Gordon, Head of Sales & Distribution.

ends.

PREVIOUS UPDATES:

UPDATE: Monday, 13 May 2019 - Johannesburg - 16:30

FlySafair and Mihlali Ndamase are continuing to engage. At this stage there are no comments to be made.

UPDATE: Monday, 13 May 2019 - Johannesburg - 09:30

Investigations into yesterday's events will commence this morning. The airline is getting in touch with Mihlali Ndamase this morning and will update this article with outcomes. We hope to wrap this up this afternoon.

Sunday, 12 May 2019 – Johannesburg - 21:20

FlySafair would like to hereby acknowledge the social media statements issued by Mihlali Ndamase regarding her experience on a Flysafair flight this evening.

FlySafair will launch a comprehensive investigation into the incident and will take swift and appropriate actions in response.

Over the past 4 years, FlySafair has created employment for over 1000 South Africans from all walks of life. We are a cohesive team, and we do not tolerate and form of discrimination.

In reply to Mihlali, FlySafair posted the following comment to their post:

“Hi @mihlali_n. Thanks so much for bringing this to our attention. Of course we as a company do not stand for discrimination of any sort. As the proud employers of over 1000 South Africans from all walks of life we stand for inclusivity, equality and tolerance. You have our assurance that we will investigate the matter comprehensively in the morning. We'll obviously consult with our teams for context and, with your consent, we will have a Senior FlySafair representative call you in the morning for your account too. We intend decisive action.”

ends.

FlySafair continues to soar, taking home the title of Best Airline in Africa and the Indian Ocean in the 2019 TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards for the second year running.
 

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – 02, April, 2019 – FlySafair has once again officially been named Best Airline Africa and Indian Ocean in the 2019 TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice™ awards for Airlines. 

The Travellers’ Choice Awards highlight the world’s top carriers based on the quantity and quality of reviews and ratings for airlines worldwide gathered over a 12-month period. 

“We’re really pleased with this award because it’s voted for by actual travelers rather than a panel of some sort. Excellent customer experience has always been a key focus area for us, and it’s great to see that focus being recognised.” says Kirby Gordon, Head of Sales and Distribution at FlySafair.

The airline performed well across the ratings categories, scoring particularly high marks under Onboard Experience, Customer Service, Check-in & Boarding, Value for Money and Cleanliness. 

“Congratulations to FlySafair for being named a Travellers Choice Airlines winner yet again for the year 2019. This momentous award recognises FlySafair as Travellers’ favourite airline, based on review data from our community,” says Bryan Saltzburg, Senior Vice President and General Manager for TripAdvisor Flights. “As the airline industry introduces new fare products and a widening array of in-flight offerings, consumers continue to seek out the carriers that deliver value and a quality experience. The Travellers’ Choice awards for airlines recognises outstanding service, world-renowned quality and amazing value, all of which are traits currently exhibited by FlySafair. The airline should be exceedingly proud of their award, as travellers have said that it is their preferred carrier when choosing to fly.”

To read TripAdvisor traveller reviews and opinions of FlySafair, click here.

About FlySafair

FlySafair is a domestic low cost carrier operating in South Africa. Flights are available between OR Tambo, Lanseria, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, George, East London and Durban from just R599. FlySafair has serviced over 4 million customers and is ranked the world’s most on-time airline. In 2017 the airline was once again the recipient of ACSA’s “Best Performing Airline” in the low-cost category. FlySafair is also proud to be the Official Domestic Carrier for the Springboks. 
 

About TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor, the world's largest travel site*, enables travelers to unleash the full potential of every trip. With over 600 million reviews and opinions covering the world's largest selection of travel listings worldwide – covering approximately 7.5 million accommodations, airlines, attractions, and restaurants -- TripAdvisor provides travelers with the wisdom of the crowds to help them decide where to stay, how to fly, what to do and where to eat. TripAdvisor also compares prices from more than 200 hotel booking sites so travelers can find the lowest price on the hotel that's right for them. TripAdvisor-branded sites are available in 49 markets, and are home to the world's largest travel community of 455 million average monthly unique visitors**, all looking to get the most out of every trip. TripAdvisor: Know better. Book better. Go better.

The subsidiaries and affiliates of TripAdvisor, Inc. (NASDAQ:TRIP) own and operate a portfolio of websites under 20 other travel media brands:

www.airfarewatchdog.com, www.bookingbuddy.com, www.citymaps.com, www.cruisecritic.com, www.familyvacationcritic.com, www.flipkey.com, www.thefork.com (including www.lafourchette.com, www.eltenedor.com, www.iens.nl and www.dimmi.com.au), www.gateguru.com, www.holidaylettings.co.uk, www.holidaywatchdog.com, www.housetrip.com, www.jetsetter.com, www.niumba.com, www.onetime.com, www.oyster.com, www.seatguru.com, www.smartertravel.com, www.tingo.com, www.vacationhomerentals.com and www.viator.com.

* Source: comScore Media Metrix for TripAdvisor Sites, worldwide, October 2017
** Source: TripAdvisor log files, average monthly unique visitors, Q3 2017

19 November 2018, Johannesburg – FlySafair was named Aircraft Operator of the Year at the South African Civil Aviation Excellence Awards held at The Galleria in Sandton on November 16.

FlySafair CEO, Elmar Conradie, was full of praise for the high-performing team at FlySafair, saying that awards and achievements of this caliber are only possible when each and every team member is committed to excellence in everything they do. “I’m privileged to work with such an outstanding group of people - well done to the entire team,” he said. 

This is the first time that the South African Civil Aviation Authority has hosted an awards ceremony of this nature, with the launch coinciding with the organisation’s 20^th anniversary. “Never before has there been an initiative to acknowledge the contributions of the individuals and companies across all sectors of aviation in South Africa,” said Ms Poppy Koza, who leads the SACAA as the Director of Civil Aviation (CEO).

Awards were issued across various categories, including Aviation Safety, Aviation Security, Aviation Innovation, Aviation Transformation and an Airport Achievement Award.

In addition to taking home top honours in the Aircraft Operator of the Year category, FlySafair was also named a finalist in the Aviation Safety category and took second place to business jet charter company, ExecuJet, in the Aviation Customer Services category. 

“We’re exceptionally proud to be honoured with such prestigious awards and would like to thank the South African Civil Aviation Authority. Having the hard work and dedication of our remarkable teams acknowledged on this level is hugely appreciated,” commented Conradie.

About FlySafair

FlySafair is a domestic low cost carrier operating in South Africa. Flights are available between OR Tambo, Lanseria, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, George, East London and Durban from just R599. FlySafair has serviced over 4 million customers and is ranked the world’s most on-time airline. In 2017 the airline was once again the recipient of ACSA’s “Best Performing Airline” in the low-cost category. FlySafair is also proud to be the Official Domestic Carrier for the Springboks. 

Safair can confirm that there was a small brush fire that started this afternoon at about 4pm near our head office premises at OR Tambo International Airport. These offices are situated in the unscheduled carrier section of the Airport Facility away from the main terminal. Fires are naturally a matter of great concern within the airport environment, and as such, this fire was fully addressed by the ORT fire services, and completely extinguished by approximately 4:30pm. Causes and damages are still under investigation but no foul play is expected.

FlySafair continues to build on its legacy of industry-firsts, launching Express Check-In

11 September 2018 – Johannesburg - FlySafair has launched Express Check-In, a new technology that allows the airline to service passengers more quickly than ever before.  

Express Check-In, which has already been rolled out at all the airports from which FlySafair operates, enables the airline’s queue combers to check-in those passengers without checked-in luggage before they even reach the check-in counter. 

“Helping passengers stick to their tight schedules has always been a massive priority for FlySafair. It’s this mission that drove us to be named the Most On-Time Airline in the World in 2017 by airline data specialist, OAG, and now sees us develop the capability to check passengers in while they are still queuing,” says Kirby Gordon, Head of Sales and Distribution at FlySafair.  

The innovative new check-in technology was developed in conjunction with Blue Market Retail Solutions, the same company that partnered FlySafair in becoming the first airline to offer card transactions on all its flights using ground-breaking POS technology. 

Using this same technology, FlySafair attendants can search for the passenger’s flight ticket using their reference number, surname or date of birth, and then produce their boarding pass directly from the device. 

Designated queue combers will be easy for passengers to spot as they will be wearing pink sashes to identify them.

“This solution will play a major role in helping to reduce queuing times, especially at airports like George where wait times can be problematic,” says Theron Uys, Director of Business Development at BlueMarket Retail Solutions. “In true FlySafair style, the airline continues to challenge what can be done within the aviation sphere. It truly is one of the most dynamic and innovative companies we’ve come across,” he adds. 

FlySafair is proud of its reputation for industry-firsts. “To the best of our knowledge we’re the first airline in South Africa to offer passengers this service and we are confident that it will make travelling much more convenient for our customers,” comments Gordon.  

About FlySafair

FlySafair is a domestic low cost carrier operating in South Africa. Flights are available between OR Tambo, Lanseria, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, George, East London and Durban from just R599. FlySafair has serviced over 4 million customers and is ranked the world’s most on-time airline. In 2017 the airline was once again the recipient of ACSA’s “Best Performing Airline” in the low-cost category. FlySafair is also proud to be the Official Domestic Carrier for the Springboks. 

Johannesburg – 17 May 2018. Low-cost airline FlySafair, again today hosted one of their massive blow-out sales, where they sold over 30 000 flight tickets for just R4 including airport taxes. The company started this annual tradition in 2015 when they sold the same number of tickets for just R1 each and South Africans have been waiting with baited breath every year since.

As per last year the airline created a “waiting room” where visitors were held and released onto the Flysafair website in small batches so as to protect the site from crashing.

“We’re thrilled that the site held up so well, because the volume of traffic that this sale generates is absolutely incredible” says Kirby Gordon, Head of Sales and Distribution at FlySafair.

The doors to this digital waiting room opened for the first group of customers at 9am and tickets sold incredibly quickly. Just before 11:30 the airline announced that the tickets were all sold out.

“By 11:30 we’d sold 32 758 tickets for just R4, bringing the days sales totals to just over thirty-eight thousand when factoring in the full fare tickets that people also purchased”.

As per previous years, Twitter was littered with posts from various people bragging about their bargains as well as those bemoaning the fact that they weren’t getting picked from the waiting room to enter the site.

“At one stage we were looking at over 260 000 users sitting in our waiting room”.

The airline also fielded over 2700 calls to their call center, managed over 3400 whatsapps, and dealt with more than 2400 Facebook and Twitter comments and questions.

“It’s a big day for us, but when you get the messages afterward from people who wouldn’t have otherwise been able to fly, it makes it all worthwhile. We also love how incredibly creative and funny people on Twitter are, we get send some of the most fantastic memes” says Gordon.

About FlySafair

Taking flight for the first time in October 2014, FlySafair has fast become a leading domestic low-cost carrier in South Africa. The airline has a fleet of 14 Boeing aircraft that operate flights to Cape Town, Johannesburg, Lanseria, Durban, George, Port Elizabeth and East London. FlySafair was also rated the most on-time airline in the world for the last two seasons running and received the 2017 TripAdviser Customer Choice Award for the best airline in Africa and Indian Ocean region.

Dear Customers

This morning saw an issue at OR Tambo International Airport's Terminal B where the entire luggage belt conveyer system was offline meaning that all luggage that passed through the airport's security infrastructure had to be processed manually. The result was that several aircraft departing OR Tambo, across all airlines, were delayed.

As you know, we pride ourselves on being the most on-time airline in the world and facing delays of this nature is incredibly frustrating to us. Our teams have been working since the early morning exploring and implementing every plan we can to get our passengers away with minimal delay and impact to luggage movements.

Of course, while we have done what we can, we realise that you have been delayed and frustrated and for that we offer our humble apologies. If you have a flight later today and need to discuss any possible changes, please don't hestitate to call us for help on 087 135 1351.

For more information on the various delays please refer to our travel updates page.

Kind regards,

The FlySafair Management Team

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – 10 April, 2018 – FlySafair has officially been named Best Airline Africa and Indian Ocean in the 2018 TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice™ awards for Airlines. The airline also walked away with the Best Economy Class award in the same region.

The Travellers’ Choice Awards highlight the world’s top carriers based on the quantity and quality of reviews and ratings for airlines worldwide gathered over a 12-month period.

“FlySafair is extremely proud to have been ranked number one in the Travellers’ Choice awards – particularly because this is a reflection of what our passengers feel about us. When FlySafair first launched in 2014, we set ourselves the task of championing air access for all South Africans by providing an affordable and reliable service. To have travellers acknowledge FlySafair for these exact traits, gives us confidence that we are on the right track,” says Kirby Gordon, Head of Sales and Distribution at FlySafair.

Indeed, words which travellers most frequently use to describe FlySafair, include “always on time”, “value for money”, “better rates” and “friendly staff”. The airline performed well across the ratings categories scoring particularly high marks under Value for Money and Cleanliness.

“We’re thrilled to recognise the global TripAdvisor community’s favorite airlines and shine a spotlight on the carriers around the world that provide the very best flying experiences, including FlySafair,” says Bryan Saltzburg, Senior Vice President and General Manager for TripAdvisor Flights. “As the airline industry introduces new fare products and a widening array of in-flight offerings, consumers continue to seek out the carriers that deliver value and a quality experience. The Travellers’ Choice awards for airlines recognise the carriers that exceed passenger expectations and receive top marks from travellers.”

In the three and a half years since FlySafair began operation, the airline has done much to dispel the notion that a budget service somehow entails lower quality. In fact, the airline has maintained its ranking from OAG as the most on-time airline in the world for two years running and the confidence this has instilled in travellers has been telling. President Cyril Ramaphosa himself was recently spotted flying with FlySafair, entrusting the airline with his tight schedule.  

To read TripAdvisor traveller reviews and opinions of FlySafair, go to https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Airline_Review-d10661141-Reviews-FlySafair.

South Africa is a water scarce country and while many regions are experiencing shortages, by far the most serious shortage is currently being experienced by the City of Cape Town and the larger Western Cape area.

As citizens we are all incredibly concerned and eager to find ways to alleviate the shortages in the area.

FlySafair’s Water Conservation

FlySafair is absolutely committed to the cause of minimizing our water usage in the Western Cape region and are doing as much as we can to ensure that water utilizing tasks required for operations are handled in stations other than in Cape Town.

We are also working closely with our Cape Town based staff to find ways in which the company can assist them and their communities.

Travelling with water

Many customers have contacted us with request to take their own water with them on board the aircraft to make a contribution to the shortage, or at the very least, to offset their own usage while visiting the city. FlySafair has no problem accommodating this as far as we can, but as an environmentally conscious organization we would like to raise an important point for your consideration:

Water is heavy and the carbon footprint of transporting water by air is high. In other words, flying water from Johannesburg to Cape Town requires a lot more fossil fuel than trucking the same water by road.

Climate change is a major factor that has contributed to this situation and we believe that tit’s vitally important to be conscious on our overall effect on the environment to ensure that we don’t inadvertently cause harm, when we mean to help.

DHL international have an amazing website tool that allows users to calculate the “Carbon cost” of transporting a given weight and volume of goods between two cities. According to this calculator the Carbon equivalency of transporting 100L of water by air is 109.16 kgCO₂e, compared to 6.31 kgCO₂e to transport the same water by truck or 3.7 kgCO₂e by rail. This means that transporting water by air is 17.3 times costlier to the environment than transporting the same water by road and almost 30 times costlier to the environment than transporting that same water by rail.

What Can You Do Then?

If you are travelling to Cape Town and are keen to offset your water usage in the city while visiting, we highly recommend making a donation to one of the many organizations that are assisting with the crisis. Water 4 Cape Town is an organization dedicated to just this and have a brilliant website where you can easily make a donation to the cause. Click http://water4capetown.org/product/5l-water-canister/ to visit their site now. This way you can make your contribution in a meaningful way without doing unnecessary harm to the environment.

Water on Board

If however you still feel that you would like to bring water with you to Cape Town aboard a FlySafair flight, then you are welcome to do so:

• 5L of water can be carried aboard per person, over and above the carry-on luggage restriction of 7kg.
• This water will need to be stowed beneath the seat in front of you, so this facility is not available to those seeking to sit in emergency exit or bulkhead rows.
• We recommend purchasing square 5l bottles which are easier to stow and less likely to roll around.
• Please preference sealed bottles as this will be preferred by Airport Security.

Please be aware that there are scammers who are sending out mass emails that may appear to have come from “Flysafair Airlines” for aspiring cabin attendants (countrywide).

The subject of the email they send out is titled: URGENT INVITATION FROM FlySafair Airlines – 2018 Cabin Crew Training

They claim to have received your application in July 2016, which they would like to invite you for a yearly training opportunity that would take place for a period of about 5 months, in which applicants are all given a unique training code that begins with #FSA

Applicants are further encouraged to resign from their current employment as this program may require full time and attendance. Candidates are further enticed to be given a salary of R 6,000.00 p/m- R 13,000.00 (when and if they become permanent) with other medical benefits included.

Applicants are also requested to secure accommodation by paying a once-off payment by the 10^th January 2018, which payments can only be made through PEP Stores and ABSA cash send. Banking details are not provided due to experiences of fraudulent activities.

They utilised the physical address of South African Airways (SAA). Which they also provide their Fax number (011 978 2999) instead of their telephone landline number claiming that the HR department staff is still on holidays and will only be returning on the 15^th January 2017. 

Warning! Though this email may seem legit and realistic, please be advised that it is NOT from SAFAIR OPERATIONS/FLYSAFAIR. If you ever receive an email that you suspect is impersonating FlySafair/Safair Operations, you are advised to contact our HR department (011 928 0000-Switchboard).

What do you need to do in order to best defend yourself?

• One of the first signs of identifying job scams is when they mention anything that is to do with payment that need to be made at any point of the employment process.
• Verify if the job you applied/applying for is legit by either tracking the post down on the employers’ website and ensure communication made by the employer (i.e Email address) has the employer’s domain name.

Please be aware of such scammers! 

27 NOVEMBER 2018

Johannesburg - Airlink and Safair, two independent South African aviation groups, will tomorrow (Tuesday 28 November 2017) apply to South Africa’s Competition Commission for approval to unite under the common umbrella of the Airlink group of companies.

The proposal sees the Airlink and low-cost FlySafair airlines and Safair’s other businesses, including humanitarian aid flights, continuing to operate separately under their unique brands.

The airlines will retain their respective products, aircraft fleets, management and leadership teams.  Employees will be secure with no job losses because of the consolidation.

“Airlink’s acquisition of Safair, which is financially robust and profitable, makes good business sense.  It presents opportunities to reduce our combined costs, position ourselves for growth while at the same time increasing connectivity and choice while making air travel accessible and affordable for our customers across Southern Africa,” explained Airlink CEO and Managing Director, Rodger Foster.

“Our combined networks will enable us to connect 37 destinations in nine Southern African & Indian Ocean countries and St. Helena.  This will stimulate and enable trade, tourism, economic growth and social development in those markets we serve,” added Foster 

“Coming under a single umbrella will create economies of scale that will enable both airlines to share costs, optimise assets and remove systems duplications.  This will position the new Airlink Group for future growth,” said Elmar Conradie, who will remain as Safair CEO.

In addition, the proposed new ownership structure will see Airlink continue to meet - and in future exceed - South Africa’s Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment targets. 

The Safair purchase will not affect Airlink’s existing SAA franchise partnership, which continues to deliver traffic and business to SAA and Airlink while their customers benefit from the value, convenience and connectivity the arrangement provides.

As part of its continued commitment to the aviation industry within South Africa, Safair shareholder ASL Aviation Holdings will become a minority shareholder of the Airlink Group of companies.  ASL Aviation Holdings is a global aviation group with 6 European and 2 Asian airlines in addition to its South African interests.

More details will be provided when the Competition Commission has made its determination, which we anticipate will be during Q1 2018.

About Airlink

Airlink was established in 1992 and is the leading regional airline in Southern Africa.  It has a route network of 37 destinations in nine countries and St. Helena island.

About Safair

Safair Operations was established in 1965 and has been a leader in the provision of specialised aviation services for the past 52 years.   In 2014 the company launched FlySafair, a low-cost carrier competing in South Africa’s domestic market.

Media Contacts:

Airlink:  Karin Murray   karinmurray@flyairlink.com    +27 11 451 7335

Safair:   Kirby Gordon   kgordon@flysafair.com             +27 11 928 0080

Durban – 02 November 2017

Getting around South Africa by plane just became a lot easier. Awarding-winning airline FlySafair and Zapper, the rewarding mobile payment company have joined forces to make booking flights as pleasant as possible.

Travellers can now use the Zapper app to pay for FlySafair tickets online, as well as at the airline’s web kiosk and sales desk at OR Tambo International Airport.

This time-saving and frictionless payment option eliminates the need for passengers to complete mandatory payment information fields. Customers simply select the option to pay with Zapper, scan a QR code on their computer screen with their smartphone and confirm the amount due. Fast, safe and hassle free.

Customers booking tickets via mobile devices enjoy the same ease and convenience. Zapper’s deep-linking technology allows them to tap the generated QR code to confirm payment.
In this way passengers experience simplified payment journeys, resulting in an enhanced FlySafair experience long before they even get on board.

“By introducing Zapper as an additional payment method, we provide our customers more options and greater flexibility. Zapper is a good fit in driving FlySafair’s strategy to become the most innovative airline in the country - driven by leading edge technology trends and seamless user behaviour,” said Eswee Vorster, FlySafair’s Head of IT & Innovation.

As the first air carrier to pilot Zapper payments within the global aviation industry, FlySafair has propelled customer service in air travel to the next level. Another achievement since being voted most on-time airline in the world by air travel intelligence specialist, OAG for the second year in a row.

With this successful entrance into the air travel market, Zapper has once again extended its footprint beyond the hospitality, retail, bills and donations sectors. The company is now one step closer to becoming the preferred payment and digital marketing solution for businesses and brands across all industries.

“As mobile drives the future of payments forward, Zapper continues to champion the cause by providing a rewarding payment option that enhances users’ lifestyles. Faster and more efficient checkouts when paying for flights is yet another way we bring additional convenience to peoples’ lives,” said Konrad Karczmarczyk, Regional Sales Manager for Zapper South Africa.

About Zapper

Zapper is a South African mobile payment and loyalty rewards application that allows users to make fast, easy and secure payments in a matter of seconds with their smartphone.

Through the power of QR code technology Zapper provides seamless all-in-one mobile payments, vouchering and loyalty services to a variety of businesses and brands from across the retail, hospitality, retail, bills, fuel and convenience and ecommerce sectors.

The Zapper application has been downloaded more than one million times since entering the marketplace. With more than 300 employees supporting its expansion, Zapper’s reach extends beyond South African borders, including the UK, USA and Europe; allowing for successful transacting across all major currencies.

FlySafair announced that it will be launching new routes between Durban’s King Shaka Airport and East London as well as Durban and Port Elizabeth. The first flights will depart on 27 November 2017 and tickets are already on sale through the airline’s website, www.flysafair.co.za.

The launch of these routes comes in the wake of a survey that FlySafair conducted amongst 29 000 unique respondents, to determine public appetite for a number of potential route options. The survey included the Durban-East London and Durban-Port Elizabeth options along with Nelspruit-Cape Town, Durban-George, Cape Town-Bloemfontein, Lanseria-Bloemfontein and Lanseria-Cape Town.

The winning route according to the survey, with an overwhelming majority of 54% of the votes, was Cape Town-Nelspruit. However, the airline chose to launch the routes that came in second and third place instead.

“Public appetite for a new route is naturally a massive consideration when launching new routes,” says Kirby Gordon, Head of Sales and Distribution at FlySafair. “But there are some other important factors that have to fall into place, including utilisation of aircraft and crew and slot compliance.”

Gordon explains that airlines look at three key factors when choosing to launch a new route.

Demand to Capacity Fit

FlySafair operates Boeing 737-400 and 737-800 aircraft which have either 165 or 189 seats. In order for a route to be economically viable, the airline needs to mostly fill its aircraft, most of the time. What this means is that there needs to be a minimum of about 140 people willing to fly on each flight offered. If there are less than that number of people, the route is better served by an airline that operates smaller aircraft.

Efficiency

The key to running a low-cost airline - as the name suggests - lies in keeping the costs low. One of the most critical factors in achieving this is to maximize the available flying hours of both the aircraft and the crew. As such it’s necessary to determine the right movement patterns that allow for maximum flying while ensuring that crew sleep in their own beds.

Take-off and Landing slots

OR Tambo International Airport processes up to 50 departures and landings every hour - that’s a movement every minute and 12 seconds. These slots are all scheduled very carefully and competition for the slots between airlines can be intense as everyone needs specific slots to match their utilisation patterns. Sometimes, there has to be a compromise somewhere along the line.

“Looking at all these factors, the Durban to East London and Durban to Port Elizabeth links are the ones that made the most business sense,” says Gordon. “The interest in the Cape Town-Nelspruit route is very encouraging and we’ll certainly keep looking into it too,” he adds.

Final results of the FlySafair Routes Survey are as follows:

That great holiday feeling is in the air again as SA starts gearing up for the Easter Weekend. But, while holidaymakers should be looking forward to hitting the road and spending some quality time with their families, thousands are scrambling to make alternate travel arrangements as the nationwide bus strike persists.

With scheduled bus trips across the country currently at a standstill, it’s no wonder that for many people travel is synonymous with stress. Planning to drive long distance in any kind of vehicle can drive you completely crazy.

But leaving home doesn’t have to make you feel like you’d rather jump in front of a bus than board one. In fact, you can literally watch all the problems that have been stressing you out get smaller…from 30 000 feet above the ground.

Whether you’re the designated driver or boarding a crowded bus there are at least five reasons why it’s so much better to fly. 

1.       Say goodbye to stress

Flying is more relaxing with the pilot driving. Forget about planning the route, departure time and toilet/rest breaks. No need to worry about packing snacks, water, an emergency triangle, and car and wheel jack. All you need to worry about when flying is what to read and which snacks you’d like brought to you.

This is how every holiday should start – care-free and stress-free.

2.       Fewer safety concerns

For every person that prioritises safety on the road, there are probably a few hundred that haven’t.

Negligence and drunk driving played a major role in the 1 714 fatal car accidents reported over last holiday season. Fly and arrive safely – and you can even have a drink on the way!

3.       There’s no traffic in the air

During holiday periods there are high volumes of cars passing through major toll roads on national roads. This could add unexpected travel time and stress to an already long journey.

If you’re taking your own car, driving will also add unnecessary wear and tear to your vehicle, which will probably sit in the sun, unused, for most of your holiday.

However, if you do need a car, be sure to fly with an airline that has partnered with a reliable and affordable car rental company that will ensure your experience remains a seamless one.

4.       Start your holiday sooner

Typically, driving from Johannesburg to Durban takes five-and-a-half hours, and driving from Johannesburg to Cape Town a whopping 13 hours – and that’s with no rest stops, no traffic and no unforeseen circumstances, like bad weather.

Flying with an airline that has the best on-time performance of all carriers means your holiday starts sooner.

When you fly, you’ll arrive at Durban in just one-and-a-half hours or at Cape Town in two hours.

5.       Flying is more affordable than you think

Flight prices have decreased significantly over the past few years. Today, you can find domestic flights for as little as R599 one way.

Don’t allow a long and stressful journey to be start of your well-deserved time away - make the obvious choice: book your flight tickets online.

There’s no doubt that South Africans are getting a better deal on air travel now than they have for years, something that was confirmed by Andrew Shelton, Managing Director of Cheapflights, in a recent interview.

Here are few tips directly from the people who know how to get your hands on the cheapest tickets.

Golden rules

“Before looking at specific dates, it’s essential to remember the three golden rules to getting a cheap flight,” says Kirby Gordon, Head of Sales and Distribution at FlySafair.

1. Book as early as possible. There are cheap seats on every flight, but the early bird always gets the worm. Cheap seats for the December holidays start selling out as early as May.
2. Travel light. With FlySafair, you can save by opting not to take checked-in luggage, so if you can get away with just your hand luggage, you’re bound to save.
3. Be flexible on travel times and dates. Peak periods, like holidays or commuter flights, tend to sell out fast, but there’s often a great deal to be had during the week.

Best and worst day of the week

You’re bound to find great flight deals if you travel during the week. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are, on average, the cheapest days to fly. Mondays and Saturdays are not bad. But the most expensive flights are those on Fridays and Sundays.

Winning months

February, the month of love, is usually the cheapest month to fly. Valentine’s Day, however, can get pricey, so rather chose the first or last week of the month to secure the best deals. Other less expensive travel months include May, June, August and November. It’ll come as no surprise that the most expensive times to travel are the high seasons around Christmas in December, followed by Easter in March or April, depending on when it falls in the year.

The Cheapest days

Holidays and long weekends aside, the cheapest day to fly is usually the third Tuesday of the month. This is particularly true in January and February.

Most expensive days

The most expensive days of the year to fly are those surrounding big holidays and long weekends, specifically at the end of the holidays and long weekends. Travellers tend to leave at different times for holiday breaks but they all come back at the same time, so you’re better off staying one day longer than you are leaving a day early.

At FlySafair, we’re all about cutting costs and passing on our savings to travellers. And when you’re informed, it’s possible to save even more.

Local carrier, FlySafair has been ranked the world’s most on-time airline for 2017 by air travel intelligence specialist, OAG.

The airline achieved an annual on time performance (OTP) of 95.94%. It was also one of just three airlines to receive a five-star rating. This is the first time that OAG has introduced star ratings based on carriers’ OTP performance.

OAG provides global flight information with the most extensive network of air travel data in the world. Its airline schedule database holds future and historical flight details for more than 900 airlines and over 4 000 airports.

Its On-time Performance Star Ratings is a global accreditation programme that recognises exceptional on-time performance across all airports and airlines regardless of size, geographic location or relative relation to their peers.

For an airline to achieve an OTP of 95.94% is very difficult, says Marketing Director for OAG, Caroline Mather. “It requires extremely smooth operations and exceptional focus from across the entire team.”

FlySafair CEO, Elmar Conradie, says the achievement speaks to the quality of South African aviation. “This shows that we are ready to compete with the best.”

The carrier has proved exceptionally consistent in its on-time performance since first arriving on the local scene. Conradie says this has been a priority from the start. “We recognised the need for the South African public to have a service provider that consistently delivers on time and so we set our targets even higher than those expected by local airport authorities.”

OTP has become an increasingly important measure of overall performance, says Mather. “It reflects the reliability and efficiency of the airline, and ultimately the reputation of the brand. An airline’s schedule is the measure of its promise to their customer.”

Conradie says he’s proud of what the team at FlySafair has been able to achieve. “This kind of result can’t be attained without absolutely everyone playing their part.”