Private equity firm Harith General Partners is set to acquire South Africa‑based low‑cost carrier FlySafair, as the $3‑billion asset manager expands its transport investments across the continent. Reports indicate that talks are at an advanced stage, with the transaction still subject to regulatory approvals, including antitrust clearance and the consent of two aviation‑licensing bodies.

The deal is expected to help FlySafair address regulatory pressure over its compliance with local‑ownership laws. In 2024, the Domestic Air Services Council found the airline in breach of the Air Services Licensing Act, which requires that at least 75% of a domestic airline’s voting rights be held by South African residents. Thami Ngubeni spoke to aviation analyst Dr Guy Leitch.