The strike was never our destination

IOL News

6 days ago

FlySafair assures customers that amidst pilot strikes, the airline is managing disruptions effectively.
Image: Henk Kruger/ Independent Media
Today, we write to you not from the flight deck, but from a place of deep frustration, disappointment, and genuine concern for our passengers, our profession, and the future of South African aviation.
After years of remaining silent, trusting promises of stability, fairness, and recognition, we find ourselves amid the longest pilot strike in South African history. This is not a distinction we sought – it is merely a measure of how far things have deteriorated. The particular airline's pilots have exhausted every avenue of negotiation.
Pilots are now standing together because we cannot allow silence to signal acceptance any longer. Initially, the airline's pilots intended to strike one day to signal their dissatisfaction, express our disappointment, and demonstrate the seriousness of their concerns. But instead of being met with a willingness to engage, we were met with a lockout.
We were forced out, not just physically but symbolically – pushed into a corner, with no choice but to take a stand. What was meant to be a measured act of protest became a long and painful standoff, not by their design, but by the company's decision to escalate.
What this is really about
Let us be clear: this strike is not about greed. It is about dignity. It is about safety. It is about fairness. It is about being heard. This year alone, 37 highly trained, experienced pilots have resigned – not in search of luxury, but in search of stability and respect. These are professionals who have sacrificed years of their lives and small fortunes in training, only to find themselves working under conditions that disregard their well-being.
Their core concern stems from the forced implementation of a new, algorithm-driven rostering system. While the technology promised efficiency, the reality has been brutal: Minimal rest, erratic schedules, and zero regard for basic human needs. The pilots asked for one weekend off a month. The response? 'The algorithm doesn't like rules.' This is the kind of cold logic we are up against. But aviation is not a factory.
Pilots are not products of a shift system. We are human beings responsible for hundreds of lives at a time. Predictability, rest, and mental well-being are not luxuries – they are necessities. And they are being stripped away.
The bigger picture: A culture of silence and disregard
This strike also shines a light on a deeper problem – a growing culture of silence and fear. Concerns about fatigue, safety, and attrition are routinely dismissed or met with intimidation. It seems that we are spoken to, not with. We are being treated as liabilities instead of professionals dedicated to the craft of aviation. This cannot continue.
The truth behind the headlines
Recent public statements have painted an inaccurate picture. Some claim that pilots earn R1.8 to R2.4 million per year. The truth is: those figures only apply to a small number of senior captains. Most pilots earn significantly less, and at this airline, salaries have not returned to pre-COVID levels, despite promises made during the crisis.
Average flight hours are also being misrepresented. While reports quote 63 hours per month, many line pilots fly 85 to over 100 hours monthly. And that doesn't include ground duty time, standby periods, or training, often exceeding 180 hours of total duty per month, with 200 being the absolute legal maximum.
We are aware of the fact that FlySafair has obtained a legal dispensation to fly pilots up to 120 hours per month. We believe this is unacceptable in a safety-critical industry, and we have raised these concerns repeatedly only to be ignored. We know pilots are denied leave because there are not enough crew. We are rostered for back-to-back duties that disrupt sleep cycles and family time. And we are burning out.
What we sacrifice – and what we ask
We accepted hardship during COVID. We accepted pay cuts. We waited, believing that once the airline recovered, our sacrifices would be recognised. The airline did recover. FlySafair has become one of South Africa's most successful carriers, flying up to 190 flights a day, with high load factors and strong market share. As pilots, we can be proud to have played a part in that success. But our working conditions have not improved. Salaries remain 10% below pre-COVID levels. We still fly without loss-of-license cover, proper disability protection and basic scheduling fairness.
Therefore, we ask:- Is it too much to request a single weekend a month with our families?- Is it too much to ask for a say in the systems that determine how we live our lives?- Is it unreasonable to expect that our pay reflects our work and responsibilities?- Is it not in the public's interest to ensure their pilots are well-rested and motivated?
We understand the times we're in
Pilots are acutely aware of the broader economic struggles facing South Africa. We know many families are hurting. We know jobs are scarce, and inflation is hitting hard. This is not a strike taken lightly or without empathy. We are South Africans too. We pay the same prices, worry about the same future, and want this country to thrive. But in hard times, fair treatment and responsible employment practices matter even more. Ensuring pilots are supported and well-rested isn't just about us – it's about everyone who boards a plane and expects to be flown safely to their destination.
To the public: Our apology and our hope
To those whose travel plans have been disrupted, we sincerely apologise. This is not something we ever wanted. But we cannot protect you in the air if we are not protected on the ground. This is about the sustainability of the profession, the well-being of those flying your aircraft, and the future of aviation in South Africa.
The airline's pilots are not asking for the sun and the moon. We are asking for:- a predictable and humane roster that allows us to live healthy lives;- fair and competitive salaries, corrected to pre-COVID levels;- a voice in decisions that impact our lives and safety;- and above all, respect for the work we do, and the responsibility we carry.
We want the next generation of South African pilots to once again believe in this career. Pilots want to stay. We want to serve. We want to fly. But these pilots cannot continue under conditions that compromise safety, well-being, and dignity.
Thank you for your understanding. Thank you for your support.
Gideon du Plessis
General Secretary: Solidarity