FlySafair, a South African low-cost airline, has been granted a 12-month period by the Air Services Licensing Council (ASLC) to comply with nationalit
FlySafair, a South African low-cost airline, has been granted a 12-month period by the Air Services Licensing Council (ASLC) to comply with nationality regulations, ensuring that its operations will continue without disruption.
The ASLC requires that 75% of an airline’s voting rights be held by South African citizens and residents. In December, the council determined that FlySafair did not meet this requirement. The airline is currently evaluating options to achieve compliance, which may include changes in shareholding or legal challenges. FlySafair has committed to providing monthly progress reports to the ASLC during this period.
Air Services Licensing Act
FlySafair is a subsidiary of Safair Operations (Pty) Ltd, which is part of ASL Aviation Holdings, an Ireland-based group. The airline operates a fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft, serving 14 destinations in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The ASLC’s decision originated from a complaint by Global Aviation Operations, the operator of Lift Airlines, regarding FlySafair’s adherence to the nationality provisions of the domestic Air Services Licensing Act. The ASLC has not provided specific guidance on what compliance should entail beyond its original ruling. As of now, there has been no mention of a related issue being considered by South Africa’s International Air Services Licensing Council, which oversees international licenses.
FlySafair’s Chief Marketing Officer, Kirby Gordon, stated, “At this stage, we are pleased that there is no threat to operations and that we can turn our full attention to our customers.” He assured customers that they can continue booking and flying with confidence, knowing that FlySafair remains fully operational while addressing this matter.