Diminished Competition, Overbooking, and Infrastructure Failures Prompt Industry Reckoning
South Africa’s aviation industry, once a competitive and growing market, is now facing increasing scrutiny from regulators amid growing passenger complaints, operational disruptions, and concerns over the weakening integrity of aviation infrastructure. With only a few players dominating the post-COVID skies, airlines are facing fewer market constraints, and many are now being accused of pushing boundaries that may violate the law and compromise passenger rights.
On 1 April 2025, South Africa’s National Consumer Commission (NCC) issued a formal warning to all domestic airlines, asserting that overbooking flights, a practice increasingly common in the local sector, is illegal under the Consumer Protection Act (CPA). This announcement comes at a time when the aviation sector is under intense investigation by Parliament’s portfolio committees on trade, industry and competition, and transport.
The trigger? A series of complaints lodged against FlySafair, which allegedly denied boarding to passengers despite confirmed, paid-for tickets. In response, FlySafair defended overbooking as a “globally accepted” norm. But local competitors Airlink and CemAir quickly distanced themselves from the practice, insisting they do not, and never have, overbooked flights.
Less Competition, More Problems
Industry insiders argue that the consolidation of the airline market post-pandemic has eroded competitive pressure and left room for questionable practices. Before COVID-19, South Africa’s skies were home to a relatively balanced mix of carriers, creating healthy market dynamics. Today, three major players dominate, and concerns around pricing volatility, anti-competitive behaviour, and operational reliability are mounting.
As Acting Commissioner of the NCC, Hardin Ratshisusu, explained, the FlySafair investigation is ongoing, with more probing needed despite the airline’s initial data-heavy response. However, he left no ambiguity on the legal front: Sections 22, 41, and 47(2) of the CPA clearly prohibit misleading marketing, non-transparent communication, and overbooking except in limited circumstances.
AASA Raises the Alarm on Crumbling Aviation Infrastructure
While regulatory bodies focus on consumer protection, the Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA) has raised deeper structural concerns, notably around aviation infrastructure and service delivery failures that have plagued South African airports and service providers during the recent summer peak season.
In a strongly worded statement, AASA CEO Aaron Munetsi expressed frustration over persistent disruptions linked to refuelling infrastructure, electrical power supply failures, and obsolescent or unserviceable airport equipment at major hubs like OR Tambo and Cape Town International Airports.
“Airlines and passengers pay statutory user charges to the various State aviation agencies for the provision of reliable, safe and efficient services. Yet, ACSA, ATNS and SAWS have all applied for tariff increases despite failing to consistently deliver those services,” Munetsi said.
Jet Fuel Supply Still Under Pressure
The country’s jet fuel supply chain remains a key concern. Following the closure and delayed reopening of local refineries and natural disasters affecting rail infrastructure, airlines have become heavily dependent on imported fuel — often at significantly marked-up prices.
The situation was further complicated by a fire at Natref, a critical fuel supply node for OR Tambo, which led to uncertainty over fuel reserves and raised alarms across the sector. Airlines remain in the dark about stock levels, as they do not control fuel procurement, a responsibility that lies with private fuel suppliers.
Adding fuel to the fire (pun intended), the NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) restricting fuel tankering from OR Tambo is still in place, and AASA warns that unless resolved, these issues may threaten operational stability moving forward.
Obsolete Equipment and Delayed Flight Procedures
AASA also highlighted a backlog in restoring 326 instrument flight procedures across the country, essential navigation tools for safe landings and takeoffs in poor weather. These procedures were withdrawn by the Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) in July 2024 and have yet to be reinstated for key airports like George, leading to flight cancellations and delays.
Further straining operations is the shortage of qualified air traffic controllers in South Africa, as many have been lured abroad by better offers, leaving ATNS struggling to maintain normal airspace flow. The resulting “flow control” measures, artificially spacing out aircraft movements to ease pressure, may inadvertently increase safety risks rather than prevent them.
Cybersecurity Breach at SA Weather Service Adds to Chaos
In January, a cyberattack knocked the SA Weather Service’s systems offline, leaving airlines without the aviation weather observations and forecasts required by law to dispatch flights. While some contingency measures have been put in place, the incident exposes significant vulnerabilities in South Africa’s aviation infrastructure at a time when resilience is critical.
Regulators Urged to Audit Before Approving Tariff Hikes
With ACSA, ATNS, and SAWS all applying for tariff increases, AASA has called on regulators to conduct full audits before approving any hikes. Munetsi argues that users are already paying “top dollar” for unreliable service delivery and that financial transparency must precede any additional financial burden on airlines or passengers.
“We should remain concerned about potential disruptions to operations unless the entire system — from fuel to flight control to infrastructure — is stabilised and modernised,” Munetsi said.
Regulatory Heat Rising as Easter Travel Peaks
As millions of South Africans prepare to travel for the Easter holidays, regulatory bodies and industry associations are turning up the heat on airlines, fuel suppliers, and infrastructure operators alike.
From legal threats over overbooking to structural crises in fuel supply and air traffic management, South Africa’s aviation sector is entering a period of serious reckoning. Whether government agencies and industry players can work together to restore integrity, transparency, and efficiency to the skies remains to be seen.
