Harith acquires FlySafair: A new chapter for South Africa’s favorite punctual airline

SOUTH AFRICA – FlySafair, South Africa’s beloved low-cost carrier famous for its on-time arrivals, has announced that its shareholders have signed a Sale and Purchase Agreement with Harith, a prominent Pan-African infrastructure investor.

The deal, confirmed on 10 February 2026, will see the airline transition to full South African ownership, pending regulatory approvals.

But here’s the best part for the millions of passengers who rely on the bright blue tails: it’s very much business as usual.

Same Friendly Face, Same Reliable Wings

If you’re a FlySafair regular, you can breathe easy.

The airline has made it crystal clear that it will continue operating under its existing brand, leadership, and strategy.

Same affordable fares, same impressive on-time performance, same warm South African hospitality at 30,000 feet.

The proposed transaction isn’t a rescue mission or a hasty pivot, it’s a strategic move that’s been quietly brewing for some time, reflecting genuine confidence in a business built on operational discipline and a fiercely committed workforce.

A Patient Investor with a Continent-Sized Vision

This is where things get really interesting.

Harith is celebrating 20 years of mobilizing capital for infrastructure development across Africa, and this acquisition fits neatly into its bigger-picture strategy: building a highly effective, integrated transport ecosystem that connects the continent.

By injecting patient, long-term capital, Harith isn’t looking to shake things up. Quite the opposite.

They’ve identified a strong brand with a proven, disciplined formula and simply want to support it.

Think of it less as a takeover and more as a confident investor pulling up a chair and saying, “We believe in you, keep doing what you’re doing.”

Navigating the Regulatory Landscape with Transparency

The transaction arrives against the backdrop of an ongoing regulatory process following findings by the Air Services Licensing Council in early 2025.

FlySafair emphasized that this deal was not initiated in response to those findings, which remain under legal review.

Importantly, while the acquisition will result in full South African ownership, it doesn’t automatically resolve the licensing matters.

The transacting parties have pledged to engage fully and transparently with the relevant authorities, including the Competition Commission and aviation regulators, respecting the independence of those institutions every step of the way.

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