CAA decision on new airline 'soon'
 

From News 24:
Johannesburg - South Africa's aviation watchdog said on Wednesday that it expected to finish evaluating a new operating licence "within a few weeks", paving the way for a start-up airline.
The airline is believed to be Durban-based Velvet Sky, which Business Day reported was planning a domestic service.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) did not disclose the name of the new airline, but said the applicant would offer commercial services between Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban.
The CAA said it was evaluating an application for an air operator certificate, which, together with an air service licence issued by the Air Service Licensing Council, was a prerequisite for any new operator or airline wanting to offer commercial flights.

"As such, an airline or operator can only commence operations when they are in possession of an air service licence and an air operator certificate," it said.
The aviation authority said the evaluation of the application was at an "advanced stage", and could be concluded "within a few weeks".
The CAA may issue the requisite air operator certificate only when all the requirements evaluated during the certification process have been completed satisfactorily.
"One of the last key activities that still need to be undertaken is the emergency evacuation demonstration conducted on their aircraft," the CAA said.
The air operator certificate would be issued only when the CAA had determined that the applicant was fully capable of fulfilling all the specified responsibilities as prescribed by the SA Civil Aviation Regulations and to provide a safe service to the public, the CAA said

Best wishes to Paul and the guys......about time Durban had a locally based airline. Should be interesting to see where they slot into the market and pricing.....

That is great news - happy to hear about that and holding thumbs that they get approved. There are quite a few guys that I know that are flying contract, that would be very happy to finally have a further potential possibility to be based in their home town being Durban.:ok:

Guys, am I missing something here? The domestic market is hopelessly overtraded and even the most efficient operators are busting a gut to make a buck. How on earth is this carrier, flying 737s, going to generate a sustainable income while impacting on the bottom line of established ailrines. Fuel is going through the roof, airport fees will increase this year as will salaries. Inflation, say the experts, is on the up. Something is going to have to give here and I suspect the applicant will be be the catalyst. Thereafter, it's the law of the jungle - survival of the fittest.

"Survival of the fittest" has more to do with deep pockets rather that efficient, well run ops. Anyone know who the backers are?

Just what the industry needs. More wannabes to fight over the few remaining crumbs and exert more pressure on the low cost operators. SAA must be licking their lips in anticipation. Having the pockets of the taxpayer to pick whenever things look like getting a little tight takes a lot of pressure off them, while others have to come up with even more restrictive operating methods to survive.

Heard a rumor that interair's CEO has something to do with this new ops??

very very unlikely!

Daddy, that's a very pertinent question. Who in their right mind, in this economic climate, is going to fund an airline, in an also hopelessly overtraded market, where margins, even in good times, are notoriously thin? That institution will have to have money to burn, unless of course the operators have govt connections. And the govt already has an aviation millstone around its neck - SAA!

Velvet Sky
 

Try this;

FlyVelvetSky

Here they are:ok:

Anyone have any more news? This story seemd to have died and there's still nothing on thier website except job offers.....

Howzit Apollyon

Check out this thread, there's quite a lot of discussion going on there -

Launch of Velvet Sky Airlines - Page 10 - SkyscraperCity

Cheers

Thanks! :)

Velvet Sky Flightplans
 

Heard that Velvet Sky has started submitting standard flightplans.

Flight numbers starting with T.

At the rate SAX is messing up the DUR - CPT route, velvet only needs to that one leg to make an impact.

Please explain this statement...

At the rate SAX is messing up the DUR - CPT route, velvet only needs to that one leg
 

At the rate SAX is messing up the DUR - CPT route, velvet only needs to that one leg to make an impact



What a doosh!!!! Look at what you saying and justify :oh:

The airline has eventually issued a statement, you can read it on Online Travel.

good luck Velvet Sky
 

With a 1986 -300 a duff engine already and no back up aircraft they are going to need it.

Website is up and live - Cape Town / Joburg / Cape Town advertised at R801.00 return. Meals R30.00. Bargain hunt while you can!

I've just found flights for R1031 return JNB CPT JNB. It will be interesting to see if this flies, and for how long before SAA gobble them up or force them out of business.

There was another crowd a few years ago also out of Durbs who wanted people to pay for their flights via SMS messages. Got nowhere.