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Competition Tribunal approves Harith takeover of FlySafair

Published

The Competition Tribunal approved the deal on Wednesday. The company said in a statement on Thursday that the transaction should close later this year, subject to outstanding approvals and remaining conditions.

Harith General Partners is a private equity firm with $3 billion in assets under management. The deal would make up about 15% of its portfolio. Harith Aviation and Safair Holdings, the parent company of FlySafair, are parties to the deal.

FlySafair holds more than 60% of South Africa's airline seating capacity. It operates more than 30 aeroplanes. It began in 2014 with two aircraft.

In 2024 the Domestic Air Services Council said the carrier broke South African ownership rules. It said trusts and companies, not people, own 75% of the airline's voting rights. A complaint from the local rival Lift led to that ruling.

Key facts

Who
Harith General Partners (private equity firm acquiring FlySafair); Competition Tribunal (approved the takeover); FlySafair (budget carrier being acquired); Harith Aviation (party to the deal with Safair Holdings)
What
South Africa's Competition Tribunal approved Harith General Partners' proposal to acquire FlySafair, announced on Wednesday. The transaction is expected to close later this year, subject to outstanding approvals and remaining conditions, the company said in a statement on Thursday.
When
28 October 2026
Where
South Africa, Lanseria International Airport
Status
Reported

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