Local airline FlySafair has cancelled a number of upcoming flights shortly before departure because of the change in curfew hours. President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the start of curfew would move from midnight to 11pm, which led to changes in schedules to ensure passengers and crew members could be home in time.
‘We try at all costs to avoid cancelling flights, but, unfortunately, due to the travel restrictions and new curfew times we have to adhere to, we are unable to prevent this inconvenience,’ the airline said in a statement.
However, many passengers have said that some early flights which would not interfere with curfew hours have also been cancelled at last minute. Others have complained that there is no answer at the call centre when they tried to book new flights, and some said the airline is charging exorbitant fees to rebook flights.
‘Dear customers. Unfortunately we’ve had to cancel some flights due to the new curfew times. All affected passengers will get a full refund or completely free flight change. This can be done on the manage booking section of our website. Please look out for emails and SMS alerts,’ Safair tweeted on December 16.
Dear customers. Unfortunately we’ve had to cancel some flights due to the new curfew times. All affected passengers will get a full refund or completely free flight change. This can be done on the manage booking section of our website. Please look out for emails and SMS alerts.
— FlySafair (@FlySafair) December 16, 2020
FlySafair told MyBroadband that 32 flights were affected by the curfew changes. Passengers have taken to Twitter to express their dissatisfaction with the airline’s service.
You guys are taking the piss. You are most definitely charging extra to rebook at certain times. Let’s be honest, you were so lax when it came to safety measures. You’re now having to give a damn but you can’t admit that you didn’t from the get-go.
— Kerry-Ann Henrico (@kaye_ann) December 16, 2020
Please advise why earlier flights are being cancelled. We are fully aware that the curfew time is 11pm so why are 6pm flights being cancelled! It is Christmas time and you people are not assisting us in getting answers! @News24 @ewnupdates @eNCA @SABCNews
— Cheryl Moodley (@CherylMoodley8) December 16, 2020
When we try to change flight, why do we need to pay lite fare? Isn’t it suppose to be completely free?
— olla (@olgavanwyk) December 16, 2020
@FlySafair u need to be specific sending bulk messages like this with no details for the exact or specific flights affected & then to top it don’t have people available in your call center or WhatsApp number.
Woke up to a canceled flight, changed the flight only to get this now?— Ward 134 Resident (@Ward114Resident) December 16, 2020
The carrier has offered affected passengers two options. Travellers can either change their flight to a new date and time at no cost, however it adds that if the new flight you choose is more expensive than the original one, charges may be applicable.
The other option is to receive a refund voucher, which can be used to book a flight of the same value at any time in the future for the next twelve months.
Affected passengers can go to the My Bookings section of the website, enter their six-letter booking reference number and the last name of one of the travellers, and select the applicable option.
Picture: Getaway gallery
