Toxic skies: FlySafair pilots reach breaking point

The looming clash between toxic labour relations at FlySafair and the upcoming Emirates Airlines pilot roadshows in South Africa this August, set to recruit up to 550 pilots for 2025, could see FlySafair lose some of its best and most experienced senior pilots, leaving the airline exposed to future skills shortages.

- Jacqueline Herbst

This is according to SA Flyer Magazine's publisher and editor, Dr Guy Leitch. He told Newsroom Afrika earlier this week that the Emirates was a popular destination for South African pilots as Dubai had a similar time zone, making it easy to travel to and from work from Johannesburg.

According to a well-placed industry insider who asked not to be named, pilot shortages may inevitably hit the public deep in their pockets as fewer available seats may trigger an escalation in flight ticket prices.

A large percentage of FlySafair's pilots officially downed tools on Monday 21 July, following a wage negotiation deadlock with trade union Solidarity.

The main driving force behind the strike is not money, but a new algorithmic flight roster scheduling system that reportedly disrupts the pilots' work/life balance and their rest time, thus creating working conditions they feel disregard their well-being.

In the last round of negotiations (prior to publication), the airline's latest offer was rejected on Sunday 27 July.

The pilots asked for four things:

• A predictable and humane roster that allows them to live healthy lives

• Fair and competitive salaries, corrected to pre-Covid levels

• A voice in decisions that impact their lives and safety

• Respect for the work they do and the responsibility they carry.

However, the airline said giving the pilots what they want would sustainably limit its ability to roster pilots efficiently, which could, in turn, negatively impact passengers and crew.

As a so-called constructive alternative, FlySafair proposed the formation of an independently chaired joint roster committee comprising both pilot and company representatives.

This body would be empowered to test and refine proposed scheduling rules in a live environment before implementation, ensuring that any changes are carefully evaluated for their impact on productivity, safety and overall well-being.