South African private equity firm Harith General Partners has received approval from the Competition Commission for its acquisition of budget carrier FlySafair. This approval is a significant step in the regulatory process for the deal, which was announced in February 2026. The acquisition will see Harith, through its entity Harith Aviation, take full ownership of FlySafair, the nation's largest airline.
The approval comes with a crucial condition: Harith must ensure that all other airlines operating at Lanseria International Airport, where Harith also has an ownership interest, are treated fairly. This condition aims to prevent FlySafair from gaining an unfair competitive advantage due to Harith's dual ownership. FlySafair has expressed its welcome for the Competition Commission's recommendation, viewing it as a positive development.
This takeover by Harith follows a period where FlySafair faced scrutiny over its foreign ownership structure. A 2024 ruling by South Africa's Air Services Licensing Council indicated that the airline's ownership, which included a 75% stake held by Irish-based ASL Aviation Holdings through a South African-registered trust, breached local regulations requiring at least 75% South African ownership. The deal with Harith, a firm partly owned by the South African government's Public Investment Corporation, resolves this long-standing issue by ensuring local ownership.
Harith's acquisition expands its transport and logistics portfolio, which already includes stakes in Lanseria International Airport and Traxtion, Africa’s largest private rail operator. FlySafair, founded in 2014, currently boasts a 67% share of domestic South African traffic with a fleet of 39 Boeing 737s. While financial details of the deal have not been disclosed, current management of FlySafair is expected to remain in place under Harith Aviation ownership, supporting continued operational excellence and sustainable growth.
Bloomberg previously reported on February 10, 2026, that Harith, with $3 billion in assets, was in advanced talks to acquire FlySafair, with the transaction expected to conclude by the fourth quarter of that year, subject to regulatory and antitrust approvals. This recent Competition Commission clearance brings the deal closer to completion.
