New schedule to fill flight gap

SOUTH African Airways (SAA) has announced a replacement schedule that will be in operation for a year as part of interventions to sustain the SA Express network.

This follows last week Thursday’s announcement by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) to suspend SA Express’ Air Operators Certificate and the Certificates of Airworthiness (CoA) of nine of the 21 aircraft being operated by the airline.

This decision effectively means that from May 24, SA Express can no longer continue to operate as an airline.

SAA yesterday announced a replacement capacity schedule for a year with partner airlines to support SA Express passengers.

“The intervention comes after the suspension of SA Express operations by the SACAA on May 24, 2018. The year-long schedule brings travel certainty and choice for customers who may want to travel from May 29, 2018 until May 28, 2019,” SAA spokesperson Tlali Tlali said.

Tlali said that through collaborative efforts with partner airlines, namely SAA, SA Airlink and Mango Airlines, the national carrier would offer customers a yearlong schedule intended to ensure business continuity.

“We are confident that the capacity flight departing Johannesburg at 8.50am and arriving in Kimberley at 10.10am and departing Kimberley at 10.20am and arriving in Johannesburg at 11.30am.

Customers can make further enquiries using the toll free number: 0800 214 774 (6am to 11.59pm SA Time), internationally on +27 11 978 6699. Customers can also access the SAA website on www.flysaa. com, Twitter on: @flysaa - https:// twitter.com/flysaa and a second customer service on @flysaa_care - https://twitter.com/flysaa_care .

Customers can also access the SAA Facebook page on www.facebook.com/flysaa .

In order to be able to operate, SA Express will have to reapply and be issued with the relevant approvals (an air operating certificate), and an approval for the aircraft maintenance organisation and certificates of airworthiness for the grounded aircraft.

The decision to suspend SA Express is based on the audit findings by the CAA, which, among other things, relate to safety management processes.

Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan said that SA Express Airways remains a critical player in the economy in connecting smaller towns to the major economic hubs.

“An urgent recovery of the airline is therefore critical to minimise the impact,” he said in his reaction to the news last week.