South Africa's CemAir acquires sixteen ex-Delta CRJ100s

South Africa's CemAir to add A319s

South Africa's CemAir eyes regional expansion

Former Kulula boss plots new South African LCC

Former Comair (South Africa) (MN, Johannesburg O.R. Tambo) co-chief executive Gidon Novick has announced plans to establish a new low-cost carrier in the South African market by the end of the year.

In an interview with eNCA news, Novick said that despite the COVID-19 pandemic, a viability study had shown there is room for a new entrant. He, however, declined to provide any further details stating only that a launch date was still being finalised.

Following a 10-week moratorium, South Africa allowed the resumption of domestic commercial flight operations - for "business purposes" alone - on June 1. Since then, Mango Airlines, CemAir, Airlink (South Africa), and FlySafair have all resumed domestic flights.

However, Comair, which operates a British Airways franchise and its Kulula Air low-cost brand, which Novick helped found, has remained grounded given ongoing business rescue proceedings. The privately-owned carrier holding is assembling a business restructuring plan which could see half of its fleet withdrawn alongside layoffs and asset disposals.

For its part, given what has...

South Africa allows limited domestic flights from late 2Q20

South Africa is allowing domestic air travel for business purposes from June 1, but not all carriers are providing capacity as the country slowly eases up its coronavirus lockdown restrictions.

Transport minister Fikile Mbalula, giving an update on lockdown transport measures on May 30, said limited domestic air travel for business purposes is allowed under the level three restrictions that came into effect from June 1, subject to restrictions on the number of flights per day and authorisation based on the reason for travel.

The resumption of domestic flights will be rolled out in three phases, he said, guided by Port Health capacity at the country’s three primary airports (Johannesburg O.R. Tambo, Cape Town, and Durban King Shaka).

Privately held Lanseria will have to arrange port health capacity, and the government will certify it before any flight is allowed to take off or land.

Mbalula said that during the first phase of the rollout, commercial aircraft movement would be allowed at Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport, Cape Town International Airport, Durban...