Another Long Haul Destination ?
South African airline Comair, or its low-cost arm, kulula.com, may soon compete with SAA, BA and Virgin by offering flights to London. The group has applied for a licence to put on daily flights between London and Johannesburg.
Gidon Novick, joint chief executive of Comair, was not certain whether the full-service airline or its low-cost division would fly the route if a licence was obtained. He said that would depend on market research. Both were strong brands in the local market and there were precedents for low-cost airlines to fly long haul routes successfully.
It was not certain whether the flights would be to Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted or Luton airports. Mr. Novik said: 'The choice is between proximity to central London or congestion. Heathrow is very congested and so is Gatwick. There is also the question of connecting flights to Europe or the US.'
Mr. Novick added Comair would look for two suitable wide-bodied aircraft for the route if a licence was obtained.