FlySafair

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.{{cite news|title= South African startup FlySafair secures license|first= Victoria|last= Moores|work= Air Transport World|date= 16 April 2014|url= http://atwonline.com/finance-data/south-african-startup-flysafair-secures-license|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140417132856/http://atwonline.com/finance-data/south-african-startup-flysafair-secures-license|archive-date= 17 April 2014 }}

The airline had plans to begin operations in October 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.ch-aviation.ch/portal/airline.php?cha=FFS |title=FlySafair - ch-aviation.com |publisher=Ch-aviation.ch |access-date=23 April 2014}} 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,{{cite news|url=http://mg.co.za/article/2013-10-08-flysafair-grounded-before-first-flight/ |title=FlySafair grounded before first flight |work=Mg.co.za |date=8 October 2013 |access-date=23 April 2014}} 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.{{cite news |last=Ensor |first=Linda |date=17 October 2014 |title=FlySafair will bring needed competition |url=http://www.bdlive.co.za/business/transport/2014/10/17/flysafair-will-bring-needed-competition |newspaper=Business Day |location=Johannesburg |access-date=11 January 2015 |archive-date=20 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020024848/http://www.bdlive.co.za/business/transport/2014/10/17/flysafair-will-bring-needed-competition |url-status=dead }}

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.{{Cite web |title=FlySafair Scores the Springboks |url=https://www.firstcarrental.co.za/news/flysafair-flies-springboks.html |access-date=2022-06-23 |website=www.firstcarrental.co.za}}{{Cite web |title=FlySafair official domestic carrier for the Springboks |url=https://www.news24.com/sport/Rugby/Springboks/sa-rugby-flysafair-renew-sponsorship-for-another-4-years-20200218 |access-date=2022-06-23 |website=www.news24.com}}

In October 2022, the airline went through a rebrand with redesigns to their logo and new livery.{{cn|date=June 2025}} The International Air Services Council of South Africa also approved 11 new international routes.{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Compiled by Carin |title=FlySafair adds 11 new destinations including Seychelles, Victoria Falls |url=https://www.news24.com/fin24/companies/flysafair-adds-11-new-destinations-including-seychelles-victoria-falls-20221011 |access-date=2022-10-12 |website=Fin24}}{{Cite web |last=Reporter |first=B. R. |title=First Air Belgium now FlySafair - South Africans have more options to fly |url=https://www.iol.co.za/business-report/companies/first-air-belgium-now-flysafair-south-africans-have-more-options-to-fly-4fdf1c95-f16e-4162-a300-d50cbb84bdc5 |access-date=2022-10-12 |website=www.iol.co.za |language=en}}

FlySafair serves the following 14 destinations :{{cite web|url=http://www.flysafair.co.za/|title=FlySafair - South Africa's True Low Cost Airline|website=www.FlySafair.co.za|access-date=21 October 2017}}

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FlySafair interlines with the following airlines:

• Air France
• Emirates
• Ethiopian Airlines
• KLM
• Kenya Airways
• Norse Atlantic Airways
• Proflight Zambia

File:FlySafair_B737-4Y0_ZS-JRE.jpg in the airline's 2013 livery]]

File:FlySafair_B737-844_ZS-SJR_(31433291370).jpg in the airline's 2015 livery]]

{{As of|2024|12}}, FlySafair operates the following aircraft:{{Cite web |title=Airfleets aviation |url=https://www.airfleets.net/flottecie/FlySafair.htm |access-date=2024-12-19 |website=www.airfleets.net}}

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.

File:20230615 - Boeing 737-8KN ZS-ZWM.jpg in the airline's 2022 livery]]

• 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.{{Cite web |last=Reporter |first=Citizen |date=2022-11-12 |title=FlySafair plane struck by SAA aircraft in parking accident at OR Tambo airport |url=https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/flysafair-plane-saa-accident-or-tambo-airport-12-november-2022/ |access-date=2022-11-20 |website=The Citizen |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Head |first=Tom |date=2022-11-13 |title=SAA technician accused of 'sleeping' during OR Tambo collision |url=https://www.thesouthafrican.com/news/breaking-or-tambo-collision-sleeping-saa-flysafair-13-november/ |access-date=2022-11-20 |website=The South African |language=en-ZA}} No passengers were onboard either aircraft at the time. The 737’s empennage section and A320's wingtip were damaged.{{Cite web |title=Newsroom - South African Airways |url=https://www.flysaa.com/about-us/leading-carrier/media-center/media-releases/newsroom |access-date=2022-11-20 |website=www.flysaa.com}}{{Cite web |last=Mthethwa |first=Cebelihle |title=FlySafair aircraft struck by wingtip of SAA Airbus at OR Tambo airport |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/flysafair-aircraft-struck-by-wingtip-of-saa-airbus-at-or-tambo-airport-20221112 |access-date=2022-11-20 |website=News24 |language=en-US}} 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.{{Cite news |date=21 April 2024 |title=WATCH {{!}} Wheel damage during take-off forces FlySafair plane to make emergency landing in Johannesburg |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2024-04-21-watch-wheel-damage-during-take-off-forces-flysafair-plane-to-make-emergency-landing-in-johannesburg/ |access-date=11 October 2024 |work=TimesLIVE}}

In November 2024, the South African 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.{{Cite web |last=Mahlaka |first=Ray |date=2024-11-06 |title=FlySafair faces uncertain future after failure to comply with shareholding laws |url=https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-11-06-flysafair-faces-uncertain-future-after-failing-to-comply-with-local-shareholding-laws/ |access-date=2024-12-21 |website=Daily Maverick |language=en}}

In December 2024, South Africa's domestic authority ruled the same. Sanction has yet to be determined.{{Cite web |last=Brederode |first=William |title=Blow to FlySafair's domestic business after second regulator finds against it |url=https://www.news24.com/fin24/companies/flysafairs-domestic-flights-may-be-at-risk-after-second-regulator-strikes-major-blow-20241221 |access-date=2024-12-21 |website=Business |language=en-US}}

• List of airlines of South Africa

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• {{Official website|www.flysafair.co.za}}

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Category:Airlines established in 2013

Category:South African companies established in 2013

Category:Airlines of South Africa

Category:Low-cost carriers

Category:Companies based in Johannesburg