Picture showing FlySafair customers lined up at Cape Town International Airport during the festive season travel of 2021. Image: Victoria O’Regan/Daily Maverick.
(The Post News)– FlySafair has confirmed in its latest statement that all flights scheduled for today are currently departing as planned, despite the ongoing strike by a portion of its pilot workforce entering its second day.
According to the statement released this afternoon, all flights operating today are fully crewed, and no further disruptions are expected beyond two cancellations announced yesterday: the 16:45 Cape Town to Lanseria flight and the 19:30 return leg.
In this regard, FlySafair has alerted these passengers ahead of time and is working to resolve the issue through “rebookings, refunds, and alternative arrangements”—an option also extended to other passengers who had been or may be affected by the disruption. Especially given that it was reported that over a dozen flights were canceled yesterday.
To mitigate the impact of the industrial action, the airline has been operating a reduced flight schedule since last week, with all affected customers notified in advance via SMS and email.
While there is still no resolution to the pay-related strike, FlySafair states that it remains committed to engaging in the process and will meet with the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration (CCMA) on Wednesday, 23 July, to continue negotiations over pilots’ pay increases in good faith.
FlySafair Chief Marketing Officer Kirby Gordon apologized for the inconvenience and stress caused by the travel disruptions. He said that they’re making every effort to get back to full operations as soon as feasible, and to assist impacted clients, their teams are working nonstop.
The airline did not address the union Solidarity’s statement that pilots are feeling “exhausted, ignored, and unappreciated,” nor the reported demands for a 10% base pay increase along with bonuses.
Passengers are urged to monitor the status of their flights on the FlySafair website for updates on delayed or canceled flights.
journalist-lukhona@thepostnews.net
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