The South African Competition Commission has approved the proposed acquisition of FlySafair by Harith, removing a significant regulatory barrier for the deal.
The commission's decision allows the transaction to proceed to the next stage, with the final authority now resting with the Competition Tribunal.
The approval comes with a specific caveat related to operations at Lanseria airport, indicating that regulators are closely monitoring the competitive implications of the merger in key regional hubs.
This condition suggests that while the broader market consolidation is acceptable, specific operational constraints will be enforced to maintain competition.
The deal represents a major shift in the South African aviation landscape, as Harith moves to consolidate its position by acquiring the country's largest passenger airline.
The transaction has been under regulatory scrutiny for some time, with investors and industry observers watching for signals on how the merged entity will operate.