Harith to take full control of FlySafair after tribunal approval

South Africa's Competition Tribunal approved the acquisition of a 100% stake in FlySafair by Harith Aviation Consortium, Harith said on October 29, 2026. The buyer, Harith Aviation (Pty) Ltd, is led by Harith General Partners, a Johannesburg investment holding company focused on African infrastructure. The stake is being bought from Irish lessor ASL Aviation Holdings.

Harith said the parties are progressing the remaining regulatory approvals and conditions precedent, and the deal is expected to close in late 2026. FlySafair said it will keep operating independently under its existing management team. The transaction addresses South African rules requiring local airlines to be at least 75% South African-owned, after an earlier finding that ASL had effectively controlled 74.86% of the airline through a trust.

Harith chief executive Sipho Makhubela said the investment reflects the importance of aviation to connectivity and economic activity, and that the consortium intends to support FlySafair's growth. The deal extends Harith's portfolio, which includes rail, airport operations, logistics and border-post management, into commercial aviation.