From a press report
Nationwide airline is vying for a licence to fly to Europe.
The airline is bidding for the Johannesburg-Brussels route. Coupled
with this application is a shot at the country's only remaining bilateral
licence to fly to London.
The London slot became available two weeks ago after the government
withdrew it from African Star Airways.
African Star was granted the rights in July 1999 but, nearly three
years later, it still does not own a single aircraft. Its licence has been
revoked.
Nationwide has now submitted an application to the Department of
Transport's Air Services Council for the right to fly seven return flights to
Brussels.
In its application for the Brussels route, Nationwide says it will vie
for the London slot , depending on a review of African Star's licence.
Godfrey Selepe, chairman of the International Air Services Council,
said African Star had failed to fulfil the requirements to operate as an
airline.
Nationwide commercial executive Chris Hoare said next year's Cricket
World Cup to be hosted by South Africa as well as the World Summit on
Sustainable Development in Johannesburg this year would require additional
flights.
"It is extremely difficult to get a seat on an international flight to
South Africa and we are losing out, " said Hoare. If successful in its
application, Nationwide intends taking to the skies in the second half
of the year.
Hoare said an extra 2 000 tourists a week could be brought to South
Africa, based on the additional seven flights allowed by the licence.
Some R700-million could be added to the economy if an extra 100 000
visitors a year visited the country, said Hoare.
African Star tried to buy two aircraft from Singapore Airlines two
years ago, but the deal fell through when it failed to raise funds.
