SoutH African Aviation Scene
 

What is happening in South Africa re Aviation! Who is starting up, what Aircraft are they flying, who is taking a knock an shutting shop? Is General Aviation still healthy? Is politics killing the Airlines? Do we still feed Africa with pilots and aircraft! How is CemAir shaping domestically, Jets or B1900. Any good news from down south?

Cemair seem to be making a success of the Johannesburg - Margate route.

Flight frequency increased, and talk of them getting Dash 8's for the route.

Safair started scheduled passenger operations in October, covering JNB CPT GRJ and PLZ and seem to be filling their 734s.

The last few times I've flown on Mango have also been good experiences, clean and punctual, lovely crews, and competitive fares.

1Time folded last year after what seemed to me to be a remarkable run, most people didn't expect them to last as long as they did.

SAA of course is an ongoing disaster, being kept on life support as a recipient of unlimited amounts of taxpayers' money as it provides jobs and transport for the boys and girls of the ANC. Meanwhile a more important public utility, Escom, is in such a bad condition that load shedding is now taking place almost daily throughout the country. I am talking about ZA, not ZW.

The industry is still taking pain. SAA is as described, SAX is even worse. The Lanseria operators are bleeding, Allegiance has called it a day, NAC and Execujet are complaining. The one or two other operators left there like TAB and Swift are quiet and have downscaled.


As stated Safair started but there is some concern about the sustainability at the prices and loads. A report came out stating the over the last 4 years the SA passenger market only grew by 1.2% so overall its more flights and the same number of passengers. There is a little hope that the cash strapped state won't be able to fill the trough with its SOE's and a downsize may give free enterprise a fighting chance.


Comair is a stalwart of success. Link seems stable after a protracted battle with SAX, Solenta/Fedair seem to be doing well, CemAir seems to be adding smaller routes and buying bigger aeroplanes, Mango seem to believe they don't need to disclose to the taxpayer how they do.


Bumpy road ahead for the country, aviation is likely to feel the pressure.

I'm just about to buy tickets CPT GRJ CPT.
SAA = R6000
Safair = R1500

As it happens the timing of the Safair flight only works in one direction so will probably do that and do the other leg by road as I have got to the point where I refuse to pay that sort of money to SAA on principle. I used to support them but due to events of the last couple of years they've lost my goodwill.

Just made bookings on Safair, easy website, clear booking process, 2 x GRJ-CPT for ZAR 1278. If the flight experience is as good as the booking process, I'll be very happy.

Same flight time/date with SAA : ZAR 3400. Why should I subsidise the ANC?

Do not be to critical to soon about SAA now, Bezuidenhout is now the boss man, watch that space...

Bezuidenhout has been put there as a fall guy. Nothing he can do to improve the mess there.

Bezuidenhout did well for Mango, but SAA is beyond any hope of salvation. It's just a black hole.

Thanks guys, thats some good gen. What can I say, seems like the 90ties all over again! Lets keep the faith and trust theres light at end of tunnel, hopefully not a train approaching!

That Giant Flying School SAA has not done anybodies career any good it seems, stil a stagnation point. Good for Link and ComAir. I take it CemAir is using B190 on the Domestic routes.


Federal still part of Solenta?

Further my Post #2, Cemair have sourced a Dash-8 and they introduce it to the Margate - OR Tambo route on 9th Dec.

Video: Cemair?s Dash 8 comes to Margate Airport for the first time ? sights and sounds report | eHowzit

ian16thFurther my Post #2, Cemair have sourced a Dash-8 and they introduce it to the Margate - OR Tambo route on 9th Dec.

Video: Cemair?s Dash 8 comes to Margate Airport for the first time ? sights and sounds report | eHowzit



Coooooooooolllllll!