SOUTH Africa may see a new airline operator enter the market

SOUTH Africa may see a new airline operator enter the market early this year. According to the website, velvetsky.co.za, the site is being managed on behalf of a new Durban-based airline, which will start operating early this year (subject to government approval).

The South African Civil Aviation Authority confirms the existence of a new airline. The authority told TNW in a written response: “The SACAA can confirm that it is evaluating an application for an Air Operator Certificate. The evaluation of the application is at an advanced stage and it is envisaged that the process will be concluded within a few weeks.”  The SACAA adds that the last key undertaking that still needs to be performed before granting the new airline its licence and operator certificate is the emergency evacuation demonstration.

Kabelo Ledwaba, SACAA manager of communications, further reveals that the applicant, who cannot be named at this stage, will offer scheduled commercial services to and from Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban.

Stuart Cochrane, executive manager Comair, warns, however, that capacity on the golden triangle might already be saturated. “The market, particularly the trunk routes, is already overtraded with too much capacity.” Stuart says the industry has seen numerous entrants come and go with the biggest losers being the consumer, so the most important thing with any start-up airline is that safety standards are maintained and that new entrants are required to put the customers’ money in a trust and do not use forward sales to fund the start-up.

Velvet Sky has registered three websites: www.velvetsky.co.za and www.flyvelvetsky.com and www.velvetsky.com. The websites don’t offer much information except for a link to career opportunities, in which various airline positions are advertised, mostly Durban-based. The career ads point to a March lift-off as cabin crew have been requested to start on March 1.

Popular business network LinkedIn profiles Velvet Sky as an airline start-up in South Africa, launching early 2011 on the golden triangle. LinkedIn further mentions former Nationwide crew in connection with Velvet Sky. Paul Green, a former Nationwide Airlines captain, is said to be taking up the position as Velvet Sky’s DFO. Karen Lane is mentioned as manager of passenger services (Karen used to be manager of airport and customer service at Nationwide Airlines). Lastly, Frederick Bebington is mentioned as Velvet Sky’s safety officer and QA manager since November 2010.

Agents welcoming but wary

TRAVEL agents welcome the news of a new domestic airline in the SA market but say they will be cautious about booking with a new operator.
“It is a very welcome announcement but I hope that it is not going to be another Flitestar or like other failed predecessors,” said one agent who wishes to remain anonymous.

Another agent says she will only consider booking with the new airline once it has been operating for a minimum of six months and even then will remain wary.
Another agent feels a new airline will do the market good by creating more competition. “Our commercial airlines need competition as they keep disappointing our clients. They are very expensive!”

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