Look, we best be satisfied with the “low cost” airlines that we have, because it is apparently impossible to launch or sustain a third one in this country. Two rival airlines launched an urgent application at the Pretoria High Court to have the airline grounded before its maiden flight – the court granted the order.

This, from the Mail & Guardian:

The court order followed an application by rival airlines Comair, which runs low-cost carrier Kulula, and recently licenced Skywise Airline, which is still waiting for an operator’s certificate before it can take to the skies.

Comair and Skywise objected to Safair’s application to amend its licence so that it could operate a low-cost airline in direct competition with Skywise. The airlines contended Safair did not comply with legislation aimed at ensuring air services were controlled by South African citizens, as 75% of the voting rights were not held by persons ordinarily resident in South Africa.

The (sort of) good news for the consumer is that in granting the order, the judge ordered that Comair accomodate passengers who had purchased FlySafair tickets at no extra cost.

Groan. What a bugger up.

[Source : Mail & Gaurdian]