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FlySafair strike: Top alternative airlines for South African travellers facing flight cancellations

FlySafair strike: Top alternative airlines for South African travellers facing flight cancellations

IOL News7 days ago
We look into alternative airlines for South Africans to use.
On Monday morning, domestic carrier FlySafair was forced to cancel at least 26 flights after receiving last-minute notices from pilots that they would not report for duty.
The company said the disruption is regrettable but largely out of its control. This is pilots are planning a stay-away for up to two weeks.
'What we are experiencing is industrial action on the part of our pilots. Unfortunately, our hands are tied,' said Kirby Gordon, Chief Marketing Officer at FlySafair, speaking from OR Tambo International Airport. 'We are issuing refunds and rebooking where we can, but negotiations remain tense.'
The airline claims pilots already earn between R1.8 million and R2.3 million per year, placing them 'within the top 1% of earners in the country.'
It is believed that FlySafair pilots down tools due to a pay dispute, sparking widespread flight cancellations and renewed debate around pilot remuneration.
This begs the question: What other airlines can South Africans use?
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BLSA welcomes approach to performance and accountability of municipalities
BLSA welcomes approach to performance and accountability of municipalities

The Citizen

time43 minutes ago

  • The Citizen

BLSA welcomes approach to performance and accountability of municipalities

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Understanding South Africa's reliance on foreign labour, and the way forward
Understanding South Africa's reliance on foreign labour, and the way forward

IOL News

timean hour ago

  • IOL News

Understanding South Africa's reliance on foreign labour, and the way forward

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The issue, then, is not whether foreign labour has a place in the South African economy – it clearly does – but how this labour is recruited, managed, and integrated into the workforce in a way that aligns with national priorities. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Enabling compliance and ethical hiring TES providers offer a compliant, ethical, and efficient framework for meeting urgent workforce needs without undermining employment equity or legal standards. By handling vetting, documentation, and permit validation, TES partners ensure that foreign workers are lawfully employed and that all contracts meet the requirements of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, Labour Relations Act, and other applicable regulations. Importantly, TES providers reduce legal and reputational risk for employers by acting as the legal employer of record, managing worker conditions, pay, and compliance on behalf of their clients. This arrangement offers much-needed operational flexibility while maintaining the integrity of South Africa's labour laws. Building local talent for the long term One of the most strategic roles TES providers can play is facilitating skills transfer from foreign to local workers. Through structured mentorship, buddy systems, and training programmes, TES can help businesses develop a pipeline of South African talent for future roles. 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FlySafair strike extends as union decries unpredictable roster system
FlySafair strike extends as union decries unpredictable roster system

Mail & Guardian

timean hour ago

  • Mail & Guardian

FlySafair strike extends as union decries unpredictable roster system

FlySafair pilots represented by trade union Solidarity were set to enter a second week of strike on Monday over wages and working hours. (Wikimedia commons) FlySafair pilots represented by trade union More than 90% of the pilots represented by Solidarity have rejected The details of the offer are confidential, but Cronje said the main issue of contention is pilots' working hours which are not structured and do not allow sufficient down time. 'The strike/lockout will continue while we seek a way to get FlySafair to understand that affording an employee certain protections when it comes to maintaining a balanced life is not the same thing as giving away operational control,' Cronje said. 'The ball is now in FlySafair's court, because they know what is required to bring the strike/lockout to an end.' Pilots want one weekend off a month and a more predictable roster. The current system causes stress, exhaustion and even resignations. Additionally, a call was made to establish a flight roster/scheduling committee with 'real authority, where pilots and FlySafair management could meet at least twice a year to substantively address roster concerns', Cronje said. The airline said the proposed rostering system would limit the airline's ability to roster pilots efficiently, which would impair the passengers and the wider crew. 'As a constructive alternative, FlySafair proposed the formation of an independently chaired joint roster committee comprising both pilot and company representatives,' FlySafair said in a statement. The body would have the power to test and adjust proposed scheduling rules in a real setting before they are put in place, making sure any changes are properly assessed for their effect on productivity, safety and wellbeing, it added. 'We had hoped that our proposal, which was designed to give pilots a meaningful say in shaping their roster parameters would be well received,' said Kirby Gordon, the chief marketing officer at FlySafair. 'We're disappointed that Solidarity has chosen not to pursue this collaborative approach.' Solidarity demanded for a 10.5% increase on base salaries for pilots, as well as additional flight pay and bonuses, but the airline said it could only offer a 5.7% increase on base pay, which is 1.5% above inflation. Flights this week will operate on a stable but reduced capacity as more pilots return to duty. FlySafair said seat availability remains limited under the scaled-back schedule. The two parties will continue their negotiations under the guidance of the

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