FlySafair expected to scale up operations after some of its pilots end strike
The airline confirmed last week the signing of a formal agreement between airline management and trade union Solidarity.
FlySafair pilots begin returning to work as limited flights resume. Picture: Katlego Jiyane/EWN.
JOHANNESBURG - Low-cost domestic airline FlySafair is expected to scale up on operations from this week after announcing the end of a disruptive strike by some of its pilots.
The airline confirmed last week the signing of a formal agreement between airline management and trade union Solidarity.
The striking pilots agreed to return to work after accepting salary increases of up to 6.9% over the next four years, lower than their initial double-digit demands.
The 12-day strike over wages and working conditions is what has been labelled as the longest pilot strike and lockout in the country’s history.
With all aircraft returning to active duty and schedules being normalised, the airline said it anticipates a stabilisation of airfares in the coming weeks as more seats become available across the network.
Despite signing on the dotted line, Solidarity’s Helgard Cronjé said FlySafair needed to change the way it handles labour relations for future negotiations.
"There are no winners in this process. While the agreement is an important step, there are still some concerns that it only protects the most basic rights of the pilots.
"If drastic change does not take place, this settlement will not prevent an outflow of pilots, something that will be to the great detriment of the company and the country."