According to CH-Aviation, FlySafair (FA, Johannesburg O.R. Tambo) has begun B737-800 commercial operations following the recent deployment of ZS-SJR (msn 32631), ZS-SJS (msn 32632), and ZS-SJT (msn 32633) into revenue service. The trio of aircraft were formerly in service with South African Airways (SA,Johannesburg O.R. Tambo) until their return to lessor Safair (FA, Johannesburg O.R. Tambo) late last year.

In an interview with ch-aviation in August 2015, FlySafair CEO Elmar Conradie said the LCC planned to use the returning -800s to replace its existing fleet of four B737-400s in order to reduce operational costs.

Of the -400s, some may be used as backup aircraft or to cover seasonal surges in demand while the two that the airline does own, may either be sold or converted into freighters for use within the ASL Aviation Group.

“While we may keep the -400s around to cover seasonal/ACMI demand, you have to realise that the capital costs on the -400s are not that high anymore and the two that we own are paid off,” he said. “It’s not like a leased -800, which absolutely has to fly.”

ATMS: Ensuring Safety & Compliance Since 1998.