FlySafair has confirmed that its shareholders have entered into a Sale and Purchase Agreement with Harith and its affiliates to acquire the airline, subject to the required regulatory approvals.
For FlySafair’s customers, employees and partners, it is business as usual. The airline will continue to operate under its existing brand, leadership and strategy, delivering the same affordable fares, reliable operations and strong on-time performance that customers have come to expect.
The proposed transaction reflects confidence in a business built on operational discipline, a committed workforce and a clear strategic focus, positioning FlySafair for long-term sustainability.
A regulatory process relating to FlySafair’s structure, following findings issued by the Air Services Licensing Council in early 2025, remains ongoing. The proposed transaction was not initiated in response to those findings, which are subject to an ongoing legal review. Transactions of this scale and complexity are typically developed over an extended period and have been under discussion for some time. While the transaction would result in the airline being owned by South African investors, it does not automatically resolve the matters under consideration by the licensing authorities, who will assess the proposed structure in accordance with their statutory mandates. The transacting parties respect the independence of those institutions and will continue to engage fully and transparently as required.
Harith celebrates 20 years this year as a long-term investor in mobilising capital for infrastructure developments across Africa, and this transaction supports their strategy of establishing a highly effective integrated transport ecosystem that connects Africa. The proposed investment is aligned with FlySafair’s existing trajectory and supports the airline’s continued focus on operational excellence and sustainable growth. By providing patient, long-term capital, Harith supports FlySafair’s existing strategy to enhance affordability, reliability and connectivity.
The transaction remains subject to the usual regulatory approval processes, including review by the Competition Commission and aviation authorities, amongst others.
FlySafair and its shareholders will continue to engage constructively with the relevant authorities as those processes unfold.
Timelines for the conclusion of the transaction are entirely dependent on the approval processes that follow.
Harith’s approach as a trusted, value-focused investor is centred on acquiring established businesses with proven operating models and supporting them over time. In this instance, Harith has identified a strong brand and a disciplined, successful operating formula at FlySafair. Consistent with that approach, the intention is for the airline to continue operating under its existing strategy and leadership, with a focus on sustaining performance, long-term value creation, and bolstering Harith’s strategy to secure an integrated transport network in Africa.
