FlySafair pilots' strike grounds flights, sparking social media outrage

The ''tools down'' protest by FlySafair pilots has plunged operations into chaos, grounding flights and sparking a storm of outrage across social media.

The chaos was triggered by failed wage talks, leading pilots to stage a tools-down protest that left scores of travellers stuck at airports nationwide.

In a statement, FlySafair said that while most of their services remained on schedule, several flights were cancelled due to pilots who had initially agreed to work but later informed the airline, at the last minute, that they would no longer be flying.

“FlySafair confirms that operations continue largely as scheduled today, but unfortunately, a quantity of flights have had to be cancelled today.

''These flights were assigned to pilots who had confirmed their availability to fly, but who, late last night, reported that they would not fly.

''All other flights are operating as planned, and affected customers have been contacted directly using details provided at the time of booking. Should there be further disruptions, customers will be notified promptly.

“We thank our teams both on the aircraft and on the ground for their tireless commitment and hard work to ensure that disruptions are minimised as far as possible.”

Social media erupted with backlash as frustrated users voiced their anger over the sudden cancellations.

One user argued that companies thrive by rewarding employees with a share of profits instead of relying on unions, encouraging a culture of “perform or exit.”

FlySafair apologised for the disruption experienced by their customers and the wider public, assuring that they are working to resolve the situation swiftly.

“We deeply regret the impact this situation is having on our loyal customers and the broader flying public. Our goal remains to reach a reasonable resolution quickly, restore trust, and continue building the airline so many South Africans rely on.”

Meanwhile, IOL reported that FlySafair said its hands were tied, after the company received last-minute updates from certain pilots informing the carrier that they would not make it to work on Monday morning, forcing the cancellation of at least 26 flights.

In an interview with IOL at the OR Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park, Kirby Gordon, Chief Marketing Officer for FlySafair, said the interruption of flights is regrettable and has left some passengers stranded.

"What we are experiencing at the moment is that we have an industrial action on the part of our pilots; they have embarked on a stay-away strike which started today. They have deemed it to happen for two weeks. 

"Unfortunately, we had a number of commitments from a number of pilots to be able to cover our schedule today. Late last night, we received information from several of them that they would be unable to fulfil their duties.

''As a result, we have had to cancel 26 of 174 flights today. So there have been cancellations and we apologise very deeply to our customers who have been stranded. Unfortunately, our hands are tied in this regard, because of the industrial action that is going on," he said.

As an intervention, Gordon told IOL that Flysafair teams were assisting customers, and in some instances giving refunds.

He said the negotiations with Solidarity are still ongoing.

"We continue to approach them (the negotiations) with good faith. At this stage, we are still quite far apart. Unfortunately, the unions' demands are very high. They have been speaking about a demand of a 10 percent increase in salaries," said Gordon.

"When one considers the full cost-to-company, that's more than 20.1 percent, which at the back of R1.8 to R2 million salary, which puts pilots within the top one percent of earners in this country, you can understand that it is just an untenable position.

Earlier, IOL reported about the long queues formed at the FlySafair counters on Monday morning as the airline grappled with industrial action.

In an interview with IOL at OR Tambo International Airport, Solidarity’s deputy general-secretary, Helgard Cronje, said operations have been impacted by the labour impasse between FlySafair and the union, which Solidarity said has resulted in workers being blocked from working. Solidarity is the union representing FlySafair's pilots.

Cronje told IOL that on Thursday, Solidarity gave FlySafair notice for a one-day strike, basically to get them back to the negotiation table. 

One student who opted not to be identified said he was scheduled to travel to Cape Town, but his flight has been cancelled. He has been put on standby for a flight on Tuesday.

“I have been told that there is no flight today and I must come tomorrow (Tuesday). I am not guaranteed a flight; they said I am on standby. I was told to return to the OR Tambo International Airport at 6 am. This has been frustrating,” he said.

Additional Reporting by Jonisayi Maromo