PM wrote:

So, what next? Will they be tempted to add larger planes than the E190?

PM wrote:

Am I alone in thinking that the A220 would be ideal for them?

Williamsb747 wrote:

Announced a while back but haven't seen it posted here;

Air France to fly to Maputo as a tag flight from JNB twice weekly

https://www.tourismupdate.co.za/article ... puto-route

Williamsb747 wrote:

PM wrote:

I've always thought the A220 would be perfect size for them if they wanted to expand, plus that livery on that plane would be gorgeous.

Williamsb747 wrote:

Announced a while back but haven't seen it posted here;

Air France to fly to Maputo as a tag flight from JNB twice weekly

https://www.tourismupdate.co.za/article ... puto-route

PM wrote:

I hadn't appreciated until recently just how large Airlink is. They have a very impressive route network and quite a substantial fleet. They do appear to be the immediate beneficiaries of the turmoil in the region.

So, what next? Will they be tempted to add larger planes than the E190? Am I alone in thinking that the A220 would be ideal for them?

Williamsb747 wrote:

Announced a while back but haven't seen it posted here;

Air France to fly to Maputo as a tag flight from JNB twice weekly

https://www.tourismupdate.co.za/article ... puto-route

frigatebird wrote:

PM wrote:

I hadn't appreciated until recently just how large Airlink is. They have a very impressive route network and quite a substantial fleet. They do appear to be the immediate beneficiaries of the turmoil in the region.

So, what next? Will they be tempted to add larger planes than the E190? Am I alone in thinking that the A220 would be ideal for them?

I’m thinking the E2-195 would be even better. Lots of commonality with their existing fleet, a nice step up in capacity - but not too large a step. The A221 doesn’t make sense, the A223 does but is larger than the E295 and would be a totally new aircraft for Airlink. They would be the first to fly this aircraft in the region I believe, nice for marketing but could have operational disadvantages.

SR380 wrote:

Does Airlink still operates the JNB-SHO route?
"

SR380 wrote:

Do you think this has a better chance than the previous Swazi Air?"

Williamsb747 wrote:

SR380 wrote:

Does Airlink still operates the JNB-SHO route?
"

They do, 2x daily Erj135.

SR380 wrote:

Do you think this has a better chance than the previous Swazi Air?"

Honestly they could make a few select routes work and be profitable with the right Aircraft. What Aircraft do they intend on operating? Is the md-87 in passenger or vip configuration?


I don't think it's ever going to break even let alone be profitable. While I'm not up to date on Eswatini's current political and corruption issues I do know that; government in sub Saharan Africa = bad at running companies. They would also have direct competition on probably the only route that would be profitable, SHO-JNB. So they either have to have lower their prices and run as an lcc or have competitive pricing and go head on against a well run airline.

Williamsb747 wrote:

I’m looking into who is now going to own SAA. Am I right in that Global airways is the same global airways who owns Lift???

Williamsb747 wrote:

3 weekly FRA-VFA Via WDH on Eurowings Discover

https://bulawayo24.com/index-id-news-sc ... 04983.html

Williamsb747 wrote:

SAA To be privatised. Massively good news for South Africa and the South African aviation market.

https://www.reuters.com/article/safrica ... SL5N2NT1FN

PM wrote:

Williamsb747 wrote:

3 weekly FRA-VFA Via WDH on Eurowings Discover

https://bulawayo24.com/index-id-news-sc ... 04983.html

So, that would be FRA-WDH-VFA-FRA?

Or

ERA-WDH-VFA-WDH-FRA?

Any word about equipment?

B747-437B wrote:

Williamsb747 wrote:

SAA To be privatised. Massively good news for South Africa and the South African aviation market.

https://www.reuters.com/article/safrica ... SL5N2NT1FN

This is basically re-arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.

While a 51% stake is nominally being “sold”, the controlling shareholder (Harith) of the entity (Takatso) that is buying the stake has the state-controlled Public Investment Corporation as its largest shareholder.

Additionally, the Government of South Africa, although a nominally minority shareholder, will maintain a “golden share” with veto rights over “areas of national interest”.

Effectively, the Government is selling a stake from Department of Public Enterprises to Department of Finance and calling it a privatization. The actual private sector involvement here is minimal.

Williamsb747 wrote:

PM wrote:

Williamsb747 wrote:

3 weekly FRA-VFA Via WDH on Eurowings Discover

https://bulawayo24.com/index-id-news-sc ... 04983.html

So, that would be FRA-WDH-VFA-FRA?

Or

ERA-WDH-VFA-WDH-FRA?

Any word about equipment?

FRA-WDH-VFA-WDH-FRA using an A330

B747-437B wrote:

Williamsb747 wrote:

SAA To be privatised. Massively good news for South Africa and the South African aviation market.

https://www.reuters.com/article/safrica ... SL5N2NT1FN

This is basically re-arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.

While a 51% stake is nominally being “sold”, the controlling shareholder (Harith) of the entity (Takatso) that is buying the stake has the state-controlled Public Investment Corporation as its largest shareholder.

Additionally, the Government of South Africa, although a nominally minority shareholder, will maintain a “golden share” with veto rights over “areas of national interest”.

Effectively, the Government is selling a stake from Department of Public Enterprises to Department of Finance and calling it a privatization. The actual private sector involvement here is minimal.

Williamsb747 wrote:

SAA To be privatised. Massively good news for South Africa and the South African aviation market.

https://www.reuters.com/article/safrica ... SL5N2NT1FN

Williamsb747 wrote:

- Started the 31st of may 4 Weekly Uganda airlines EBB-JNB on CR9

https://www.independent.co.ug/uganda-ai ... annesburg/

eastafspot wrote:

Why don't they send the A330 ?

rukundo wrote:

TAAG's Facebook page announces the opening of a route to Abidjan. I do not know if flights will be operated with a tag service via Lagos. LAD ABJ was due to open last year via Accra.

https://www.facebook.com/11482778853577 ... 9144262154

I' don't know if the point-to-point traffic between Cote d'Ivoire and Angola is high, but I' think thar TAAG is looking to pick up pax that travel mainly between Cote d'Ivoire and South Africa , Brazil and the 2 Congo.

B747-437B wrote:

eastafspot wrote:

Why don't they send the A330 ?

Both the A330s have been grounded since they were delivered last year and haven't flown a single flight.

AF022 wrote:

rukundo wrote:

TAAG's Facebook page announces the opening of a route to Abidjan. I do not know if flights will be operated with a tag service via Lagos. LAD ABJ was due to open last year via Accra.

https://www.facebook.com/11482778853577 ... 9144262154

I' don't know if the point-to-point traffic between Cote d'Ivoire and Angola is high, but I' think thar TAAG is looking to pick up pax that travel mainly between Cote d'Ivoire and South Africa , Brazil and the 2 Congo.

Isn't Air Cote d'Ivoire starting flights to JNB soon? And don't they already have flights to the two Congos?

eastafspot wrote:

Not willing to derail this thread, but do you know why ?

PM wrote:

According to Planespotters, Africa Charter Airline are taking four A340-300s.

https://www.planespotters.net/airline/A ... er-Airline

Does anyone know much about that?

I assume there are plenty of A340 crews looking for work locally.

eastafspot wrote:

Wanted to book some flights to CPT for Oct, but how is possible that KQ is selling its own flights (much) more expensive than via JNB + requirements/risks + Comair to the Mother City?
Interlining/ Code Share agreements or other? In those desperate times it leaves everyone baffled!

evanb wrote:

eastafspot wrote:

Wanted to book some flights to CPT for Oct, but how is possible that KQ is selling its own flights (much) more expensive than via JNB + requirements/risks + Comair to the Mother City?
Interlining/ Code Share agreements or other? In those desperate times it leaves everyone baffled!

Supply and demand? The NBO-CPT flight flies via LVI or VFI. I guess they're simply heavy booked on some or all of the legs. Also, they're down to 2x weekly on a E190, so very little supply. NBO-JNB on the other hand is 2x daily on mostly B738 (occasional E190). That's a significant different in capacity, supply and even CASM.

evanb wrote:

PM wrote:

According to Planespotters, Africa Charter Airline are taking four A340-300s.

https://www.planespotters.net/airline/A ... er-Airline

Does anyone know much about that?

I assume there are plenty of A340 crews looking for work locally.

They've had them in JNB since March/April 2019 and they have not flown since. So I'm not sure they will be flying anytime soon.

AIR MAURITIUS
(UNDER VOLUNTARY ADMINISTRATION)

Air Mauritius: Towards a gradual resumption of flights from July 15, 2021

The national aviation company is fully ready to support the Mauritian authorities and more particularly the tourism industry for the recovery. Three flights per week are scheduled from Paris from July 14 and the frequency will increase to four from August 1.

“Air Mauritius will respond to support Mauritius in its strategy of reopening borders. Given the strategic importance of aviation activities, MK will fully play its role in the economic recovery of the country. As of July 15, we expect the gradual resumption of flights and gradually increase the number of frequencies and destinations ”, highlights Sattar Hajee Abdoula, administrator of Air Mauritius (MK).

With its partner Air France, the national airline will offer several European destinations through the Charles de Gaulle hub. In addition, to support the recovery, Air Mauritius is offering attractive prices, starting from 759 euros (all tax included) from Paris from July 14. Air Mauritius is stepping up consultations with the main players in the tourism sector to stay tuned to the market.

Although MK has been under voluntary administration since April 2020, it has continued to operate flights as part of the country's economic and humanitarian activities. During the past year, several measures have been implemented to allow Air Mauritius to save more than Rs 1.75 billion annually, but the lack of visibility on an exit from the health crisis has still not allowed, to date, handing over the reins to the board and management of MK.

Given the current situation, the directors remain involved in a complex management with the objective of helping the company to honor its financial commitments.

Negotiations with several aircraft leasing companies have been successful and they have shown goodwill to help the company find the best solutions for all stakeholders. For example, in order to reduce rental costs, the administrators revised the conditions of the rental contracts for the A350s, the A330 NEOs and the ATRs. The company also put up for sale four planes, namely two A319s, which left Mauritius on Saturday, June 26. Two A340s will leave the Air Mauritius fleet during the first week of July.

“The leasing companies trust us and are understanding about MK's economic situation. The owner of the A330-200 (3B-NBM) is in the process of finalizing the return of his aircraft without applying a penalty for the remaining contract period, which is attributed to excellent relations with the lessors. And, contrary to what has been reported in the press, this aircraft was not seized in Cairo, ”says Sattar Hajee Abdoula, adding that after the sale of the A319s and A340s and possibly with the return of the A330 -200 (3B-NBM) to its owner, the Air Mauritius fleet will then include four A350s, two A330 NEOs, one A330-200 (3B-NBL) and three ATRs.

"Thus, we will be able to operate flights to support Mauritius in this reopening, while having a sharp look at the operating costs", explains the administrator of MK. Apart from France, Air Mauritius also intends to operate on other destinations, namely South Africa, India, United Kingdom, Malaysia and Reunion Island, among others. Flights to these countries will be made according to the health situation of each destination and in compliance with the protocol in force.

Air Mauritius continues to closely follow the decisions of the Mauritian authorities and those of various destinations in the world in order to adjust its flight schedule. “Although this period was long and difficult for industry players, the health situation linked to Covid-19 complicates the development of a recovery plan in the short and medium term. Every day, the administrators do a real balancing act to arrive at a proposal acceptable to all stakeholders ”, concludes Sattar Hajee Abdoula

-End-

Sattar Hajee Abdoula, FCA
Arvindsingh K. Gokhool, FCCA

June 29, 2021

This press release is published in accordance with Listing Rule 11.3 and the Securities Act of 2005.

On Saturday morning, another Airbus A340-300 in the colors of Air Mauritius arrived at Twente Airport. The aircraft landed on Dutch soil at 9.22 am after a direct flight from Port Louis airport in Mauritius.

An Air Mauritius A340-300 also landed at Twente on 2 July. Then it was an aircraft from 1997, the A340 that arrived on Saturday morning dates from 1999. Air Mauritius has taken all its A340s out of service and replaced them with new Airbus A330neos and A350s.

Both A340s that are now at Twente will never fly again; the aircraft will be dismantled by Aircraft End-of-Life Solutions (AELS) at the former airbase, with the still usable parts being traded after recertification.

mr02 wrote:

Hey guys,does anybody know what's gonna happen to SAA regarding domestic and international ops in the future? Also,wouldn't it be wise for SA to operate domestic flights through Mango instead of Mango and itself operating in the domestic market?

9252fly wrote:

The new CEO of SAA also today indicated an expectation to resume operations as soon as Friday with cargo flights, followed shortly after by passenger service a few weeks later, all subject to the renewal and approval of their AOC.

Air Mauritius is at risk of losing more than a third of its employees. The national carrier is reportedly excessively manpowered, with an average of 244 employees per aircraft compared to the international average for similar companies of 150 employees per aircraft. With 2300 employees, the excess is over 1000.

Despite government support to the national carrier and vital sectors to restart economic and industrial activities, Air Mauritius is facing an abyssal financial problem. According to several sources, Air Mauritius expects to report a loss of MUR 9.5 billion Mauritian rupees (USD 238 million) for the current financial year, ending 2021. Vincent Chappard and Anuradha Deenapanray report. Salary cuts have already been implemented but the situation remains distessing.

Air Mauritius was placed under voluntary administration on 22 April 2020 in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In his first Budget speech for the fiscal year 2020/21 on June 4 2020, the Mauritian Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development, Renganaden Padayachy, told parliament that the government had earmarked MUR7-9 billion (USD175-225 million) for Air Mauritius to keep the company afloat.



Directors have until January 31, 2022 to let go of employees or adopt the contracts of all Air Mauritius employees and also to hold the meeting of creditors under section 237 of the Insolvency Act. It is also mentioned that before informing the Redundancy Board, discussions between the administrators and representatives of the staff unions leading in most cases to salary cuts, took place. But given the airline’s financial situation, these wage cuts are not enough, leaving them with no choice but to cut down on staff.