Fan-designed aircraft celebrates one year of partnership between FlySafair and Cricket South Africa
FlySafair and Cricket South Africa (CSA) yesterday unveiled a bold new aircraft livery celebrating their partnership, featuring a design created by 22-year-old Gqeberha student Dinika Naidu. The reveal took place at FlySafair’s Johannesburg hangar, marking one year since the airline became the Official Domestic Airline Partner of the Proteas.
The livery was selected from hundreds of entries in a nationwide competition launched when the three-year sponsorship was announced in October 2024. Naidu’s winning design features elegant calligraphic lines that evoke both the protea flower and FlySafair’s iconic branding, symbolising the unity between South Africa’s national cricket teams and the country’s leading low-cost carrier.
“This past year has been absolutely incredible,” said Kirby Gordon, Chief Marketing Officer at FlySafair. “When we partnered with Cricket SA, we wanted to do something uniquely South African, something that gave fans a real stake in the journey. Dinika’s design captures that spirit beautifully, and we’re proud to have it flying across the country.”
The partnership has coincided with standout achievements for both Proteas teams. The men’s team claimed the ICC Test World Cup title earlier this year, with FlySafair supporting the trophy tour that brought the iconic mace to fans nationwide. The women’s team has also delivered exceptional performances on the global stage, reinforcing their status among the world’s elite.
“We’re thrilled to celebrate this milestone with FlySafair,” said Mtunzi Jonas, Chief Commercial Officer at CSA. “This partnership is about more than logistics, it’s about unity, excellence, and connecting South African cricket fans around the country. Having a young South African designer play such a central role in this story makes it even more significant.”
Naidu, a self-taught graphic designer and student at Nelson Mandela University, funds her studies through freelance work. Seeing her creation come to life has been a surreal experience.
“I don’t think there are words to describe how excited I am,” Naidu said. “As a young designer, you dream about moments like this, but you never expect them to happen. I’m so grateful to FlySafair and Cricket SA for this opportunity, it really feels like I’ve made it.”
The design incorporates colours drawn from both FlySafair and Proteas branding, with flowing lines encompassing a cricket player to represent the partnership. Naidu intentionally kept the visual elements “simple but impactful,” ensuring the livery communicates the collaboration instantly.
Looking ahead, the partnership enters an exciting phase with both Proteas teams playing domestically this summer. FlySafair and CSA have planned fan activations throughout the season, building momentum toward the 2027 Cricket World Cup, which will be hosted across South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
“This partnership is about celebrating South African cricket and creating extraordinary moments along the way,” added Gordon. “From flying the Test World Cup trophy to supporting the women’s team’s incredible performances, it’s been a privilege to be part of the journey. And now, with Dinika’s design flying our skies, we’re taking it to new heights, literally.”
The Protea-liveried aircraft will serve FlySafair’s domestic routes, ensuring visibility at airports nationwide.
About FlySafair
FlySafair, Southern Africa’s leading low-cost carrier and proud Trusted Domestic Carrier for the Springboks and Proteas offers budget-friendly flights starting at R570* for domestic travel between ten destinations. FlySafair also operates five international routes, connecting South Africa with our African neighbours from Johannesburg starting from R1 400*, as well as Cape Town to Windhoek, starting at just R1 800*.
Since operations began in 2014, the airline has been ranked the top on-time low-cost airline in the world by Cirium. In 2023, FlySafair received five awards at the Civil Aviation Industry Awards, including Best Airline Operator/Airline, Aviation Maintenance Organisation Award: Medium – Large, and Aviation Professional presented to CEO Elmar Conradie. The airline also earned the Best Airline Award as voted by the public. FlySafair was also awarded the Skytrax Best Low-Cost Airline in Africa award in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2025.
About Cricket South Africa
Cricket South Africa (CSA) is the governing body for cricket in South Africa, responsible for the Proteas men’s and women’s national teams. CSA is committed to growing cricket at all levels, from grassroots development to elite international competition. Recent achievements include the men’s team winning the ICC Test World Cup and the women’s team’s outstanding performances on the global stage. South Africa will co-host the 2027 Cricket World Cup alongside Botswana and Namibia.
SUPPLIED.
