FlySafair faces penalty for overbooking flights
The watchdog says the airline systematically overbooked flights for up to 5,000 passengers and seeks a penalty equal to 10% of annual turnover.
- The National Consumer Commission referred FlySafair to the National Consumer Tribunal on Thursday over systematic flight overbooking, alleging the airline's practices contravene multiple sections of the Consumer Protection Act.
- Investigators assessed flight bookings from November 2024 to January 2025, finding the airline "systematically implemented" overbooking affecting over 5,000 passengers and earning significant revenue it would not otherwise have generated.
- FlySafair marketing officer Kirby Gordon defended the practice as "globally accepted" to keep tickets affordable, noting only 0.02% of passengers were denied boarding during the review period.
- The commission asked the National Consumer Tribunal to fine FlySafair 10% of its annual revenue and declare the overbooking practice prohibited under the Consumer Protection Act.
- FlySafair stated the Tribunal is the appropriate forum to resolve "differences in legal interpretation" and expressed confidence it acted "lawfully, transparently, and in good faith, with due regard to consumers.
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12 Articles
FlySafair could face harsh penalties over alleged overbooking practices
Low-cost airline FlySafair is facing serious scrutiny after South Africa’s consumer watchdog referred the company to the National Consumer Tribunal over allegations of systematic flight overbooking. The case follows growing complaints from passengers who claimed they arrived at airports with valid tickets only to discover there were no available seats on their flights. Consumer Commission launches investigation into overbooking practices The Nat…
Have you been overbooked by FlySafair? You're not alone... and now they're in hot water
The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has confirmed it will take further action against FlySafair over overbooking complaints. The NCC announced on Thursday that it would refer the airline to the National Consumer Tribunal for contravening the Consumer Protection Act (CPA). An NCC investigation into FlySafair was launched in January 2025 after consumer backlash to a social media post. The airline let slip on its X account that “we do overbook f…
FlySafair in hot water over ‘oversold’ flights
The National Consumer Commission has taken a significant step by referring FlySafair to the National Consumer Tribunal for alleged violations of the Consumer Protection Act, raising serious concerns about airline overbooking practices.
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