Safair

Safair (including FlySafair) maintains a strong commitment to safety, adhering to stringent national and international aviation standards.

• Recent safety record and any notable incidents:
• On November 12, 2022, a South African Airways Airbus A320 collided with a parked FlySafair Boeing 737-800 at O.R. Tambo International Airport. No passengers were on board, and both aircraft were returned to service.
• On April 21, 2024, a FlySafair Boeing 737-800 lost a main landing gear wheel during takeoff from Johannesburg. The aircraft landed safely with no injuries reported, though it caused airport delays.
• In June 2023, an investigation raised questions about a serious incident involving FlySafair Flight 268 near King Shaka International Airport, where a Boeing 737 reportedly experienced an uncontrolled descent before pilots recovered it. Concerns were also highlighted regarding the timely reporting of this incident to the SA Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA).
• Other reported incidents include a near-collision in August 2021, transponder failure and loss of cabin pressure in November 2020, a hydraulic leak in June 2021, a slat problem in March 2022, and incidents of cabin pressure loss in August 2025 and August 2019, as well as a pilot incapacitation in January 2025.

• Regulatory certifications:
• Safair and its subsidiary FlySafair hold full IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit) accreditation, which is a globally recognized benchmark for operational safety. Their most recent audit in July 2023 was successfully passed.
• The airline is not listed on the EU Air Safety List, meaning it is not banned from operating within European Union airspace due to safety concerns.
• FlySafair's ownership structure has been under scrutiny by South African authorities, with rulings in December 2024 and January 2025 indicating non-compliance with the 75% local ownership requirement. The airline has been given 12 months to comply, and is considering shareholder adjustments or legal action.

• Fleet age and maintenance reputation:
• Safair's specialized fleet, including its Lockheed L-100 Hercules aircraft, has an average age of 25 years. FlySafair's passenger fleet consists of Boeing 737-400 and 737-800 aircraft.
• Safair Operations states it operates its own line maintenance and Approved Maintenance Organization (AMO), ensuring a rigorous engineering and maintenance program for continuous and reliable operations of its fleet. The company emphasizes its renowned service record for safety and reliability.

• Overall safety assessment based on available data:
• FlySafair has an excellent 7/7 safety rating from Airline Ratings as of February 2024. This, combined with its IOSA accreditation, suggests a high standard of operational safety. Despite several reported incidents, none have resulted in fatalities, aligning with South Africa's overall strong commercial aviation safety record which has seen no fatal accidents since 1987.

• Safety awards or recognitions:
• FlySafair has received numerous accolades, including Aircraft Operator of the Year at the 2023 and 2025 SACAA Civil Aviation Industry Awards.
• In December 2024, Cirium recognized FlySafair as the Most on-time airline in the Middle East and Africa, and in December 2023, as the Best On-Time Low-Cost Carrier Globally.
• Skytrax certified FlySafair as a 3-Star Low-Cost Airline and awarded it Best Low-Cost Airline in Africa in June 2025.