As the summer holiday season approaches, FlySafair is gearing up to meet the anticipated surge in demand for air travel.

• The airline has announced the addition of two Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft to its fleet.
• The strategic move is aimed at enhancing its capacity and offering more flights to eager travellers.
• The new additions will remain in the fleet, further solidifying FlySafair’s capacity to meet increasing demand.
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FlySafair’s decision to expand its fleet comes at a crucial time. The two new aircraft are expected to add between 12 and 14 flights per day to the airline’s schedule, significantly boosting its ability to serve more passengers.

There’s no better time to prepare for the silly season than now. And our passengers feel the same way with bookings over December already rising.

// Chief Marketing Officer of FlySafair, Kirby Gordon

The airline’s entire fleet is standardised, sticking to one class type and aircraft configuration to maintain the principles of a low-cost carrier. This approach ensures operational efficiency and helps keep air travel affordable for more South Africans. The introduction of the new aircraft is intended to address the high demand for flights during the summer season.

We perceive current market pricing to be irrationally high, meaning the peak periods need more capacity.

// Chief Marketing Officer of FlySafair, Kirby Gordon

While the exact routes for the new Boeings have not been confirmed, it is likely they will serve South Africa’s Golden Triangle: Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban. This area sees the highest demand for domestic travel, making it a strategic focus for the airline.

The South African aviation market is highly competitive, with five airlines operating domestically. FlySafair aims to offer a basic flight solution backed by an efficient operating model to keep air travel affordable. This commitment hopes to ensure that more South Africans can connect and explore the country without breaking the bank.

Air travel will always be something of a luxury for many South Africans, but with the rise of the low-cost model, it is becoming more accessible.

// Chief Marketing Officer of FlySafair, Kirby Gordon

While South African air travel has not fully recovered from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are encouraging signs of continued growth. According to IATA’s April 2024 report, passenger levels for 2023 were at 90% of 2019 levels. Additionally, SA Tourism’s Domestic Tourism Report found that the number of domestic trips totaled 37.9-million in 2023, up from 34-million in 2022. These statistics highlight a robust recovery and an increasing appetite for travel among South Africans.

The first of the new aircraft will arrive at the end of July and is expected to be added to the airline’s schedule in September. The second aircraft will arrive in October and will be brought into service in November. Each aircraft will add 189 seats per flight to FlySafair’s capacity, bringing the total fleet number to 36 aircraft.

The announcement of the new aircraft came amid some drama involving Miss South Africa, Natasha Joubert, whose misplaced luggage sparked a storm of complaints on social media. FlySafair acknowledged the issue and is in direct correspondence with Natasha to resolve the matter.

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