Investor Saves Sunair / Millionair

[Jangys]

A unknown investor has saved cash stricken Sunair / Millionair. Johan Botha, Managing Director of Millionair is taking over management of Sunair.

The two DC9 aircraft leased from Millionair will bought by Sunair as part of the deal.

All previous debt were written off by creditors who settled for an undisclosed amount per rand. 1c out of a rand etc. The catch is that they must be allowed to render services to Sunair for a set period of time, which they will be allowed to charge more to make up for the loss.

Do not know if Millionair was also taken over by this investor?

:ok:

[Boss Raptor]

I understand Sunair closed its' doors for the last time tonight at 1700 - Tuesday 2nd. March - the 2 acft. were ferried to Joburg Intl. this evening to be returned to Millionair which has survived.

The deal with the new investors was not carried through and a decision as to Sunair's future had to be taken...

[Goldfish Jack]

Yes it is official

ZSNNN did not ops as Sunair to FALA from FACT, but rather went to FAJS under a Millionair call sign. Rumour has it that it is going for a paint job and then to 1Time

Shame another airline bites the dust.

They come and go so quickly nowadays that one hardly gets suprised when they go. I am sure that half the problem is that most of the start up airlines think they have management that knows a lot about - obviously they dont - something that 1Time clearly does not have a problem with.

So far they seem to be doing alright, except I get a bit worried with they say "see you next time"!!!!!!

[126,7]

It's really sad when an airline goes under. All the staff and crew suddenly stand on the street. Except those that caught wind of the developing plans ahead of time and managed to get from one sinking ship onto hopefully something more stable.
I ended up getting stuck in CPT a few years ago when the first Sun Air went bang. It wasn't a total surprise and I flew with them, not wanting to support the big boys. Ended up being flown back to JNB with the big boys anyway.....

Here is a link of defunct airlines (http://www.justplanes.com/AirlineHist.html) . Amazing reading. Some of these guys seemed to have a lot of potential and suddenly they're gone....:sad:

[PAXboy]

I don't want to jump on the folks who have just lost their job but ... I have to say that I thought this was not a good idea.

As far as I know, no one else has made a short/medium haul biz only carrier work. To do so on a route that ONLY had Lanseria as it's selling point, must be on thin ground.

When I was in the country a year ago, I looked at using them. No discount for weekend and only normal baggage allowance. As I was over for a long stay, I had some 35kgs I wanted to get on down to CPT. Had they have shown any inclination to get me onboard with my requirements, I might have tried to stay with them.

The route was in competition with three or four others, using either price or frequent flyer miles as the lure. Unless they had built many routes very quickly, or had deep pockets, this was always the probable outcome.

[AtlanticWatch]

My first post, on a new name, and after being an undercover Prooner for a few years. So guys, dont start shooting at me as being one of the one-post-wonders who like to stir. This is just a comment, and the first of many to follow.

126.7

You mention you were stuck in CT when the old Blue Sunair went down. There is now some Cabin Crew of the newly departed Red Sun Air stuck in CT. Very sad.

Paxboy

100% correct. A good loyalty program would have made a big difference. So would new routs. They were planning on Joburg - Durban and CT - Durban, BUT, the most important factor, the deep pockets that you mentioned, was never there.

I had the pleasure of flying with them a number of times, and also knowing quite a few of their employees, and have to say the idea was very good, and the service the best in the local industry. Money always seemd on short supply though and the new investor that took over a year or so ago did not know the aviation industry at all. Had an investor with the right skills and knowledge, and suitably deep pockets taken over THEN, I am convinced we would have seen more of those red tailfins around today, instead of none.

To all the now unemployed Sun Air people out there: All the best and good luck. Remember when one door closes, there is always another one open! Maybe a bunch of you will find a new job 1time!

:sad: :ok:

[fireitup]

A pity sunair is lost, a pleasure to fly into FALA instead of Smuts.

The weight allowance was standard but think I the overweight charges were lower than other carriers?

Best of luck to all the crew and staff

[PAXboy]

Atlantic, it is true that FFM schemes hold big sway. For those in ZA, it might mean the diff between a family having a holiday locally or in Europe.

As to the main cost of the service, even 15 years ago, companies often had an instruction, "Less than five hours flying = Y. More than 5 = J" I have seen no change in that. In Europe, the LoCo carriers are hoovering up pax from the main carriers based only on cost. So a biz line operating a sector of 2 hours???

Some companies even say to their staff, "For long haul, you are entitled to travel J but if you go Y, we will share the savings with you 50/50." That is hard cash in the pax's pocket.

I will now say it more strongly than I already have (and this topic has been debated in this forum before) SunAir, in this format, and with this business plan - never stood a chance.

Sorry to hear of job loss', I know what it is to be redundant and unemployed.