The Competition Commission of South Africa (CCSA) held its ordinary meeting on Tuesday, 07 July 2026, to review and take decisions on matters brought before the Commission.
Harith Aviation Proprietary Limited (“Harith”)/ Safair Holdings Proprietary Limited (“Safair Holdings”)
The Commission has recommended that the Tribunal approve the proposed transaction whereby Harith intends to acquire Safair Holdings, with conditions.
The primary acquiring firm, Harith, is jointly controlled by Pan-African Infrastructure Development Fund 2 SA (“PAIDF 2”) and Harith Infraco (RF) Limited (“InfraCo”). PAIDF 2 is an en commandite partnership and is duly represented by GP Fund 2 Proprietary Limited (“GP Fund 2”) in its capacity as the general partner of the fund. Harith GP controls PAIDF 2 and GP Fund 2. InfraCo is not controlled by any firm.
Harith GP is ultimately solely controlled by Harith Holdings Proprietary Limited (“Harith Holdings”). Harith, all the firms controlling it, firms controlled by the firms controlling it, will be referred to as the “Acquiring Group”.
The Acquiring Group is an asset management firm specialising in infrastructure fund management through Harith GP. The primary activities of Harith GP involve financing infrastructure projects across various sectors, including energy, transportation, telecommunications, water and sanitation, and healthcare.
The primary target firm, Safair Holdings, is ultimately controlled by ASL Aviation Holdings Designated Activity Company (“ASL Aviation”). Safair Holdings controls Safair Operations. Safair Operations houses the operations of FlySafair.
Safair Holdings (through Safair Operations) owns and operates the FlySafair passenger airline business. FlySafair is a passenger airline business and provides scheduled domestic and regional passenger services, and may transport cargo incidental to its passenger operations
To remedy the competition concerns likely to arise from the proposed merger, the merger parties agreed to the following conditions: (i) information exchange; and (ii) ensuring that the airline-related or airport-related goods or services provided to other airlines at Lanseria Airport are not provided based on unfair, unreasonable or discriminatory terms
FlySafair Welcomes Positive Progress in Proposed Shareholder Transaction
FlySafair welcomes the Competition Commission’s recommendation that the Competition Tribunal approve Harith Aviation Pty Ltd’s proposed acquisition of Safair Holdings, subject to certain conditions.
The FlySafair statement reads: “This is a positive and encouraging step in the regulatory process. Final approval of the transaction rests with the Competition Tribunal, which will now consider the Commission’s recommendation.
We would like to thank all parties involved for the work, cooperation and support that have helped move the transaction to this stage.
There is no change to FlySafair’s day-to-day operations as the regulatory process continues, and no change to the airline’s leadership or operating model is envisaged following completion of the transaction. FlySafair will remain fully focused on operating safely, reliably and affordably for its customers.
FlySafair also thanks its employees, customers and partners for their continued support and will provide further updates as the process progresses.”
