Comair plans to further expand its regional network to include Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This follows the introduction of flights to Maputo, set to launch in May.
Erik Venter, CEO of Comair, confirmed to Tourism Update that the airline had applied to the International Air Services Licensing Council (IASC) for rights to operate flights between Johannesburg and Lubumbashi. The application was for six frequencies a week.
This,Venter says, is in response to the additional capacity that was made available as well as the further capacity expected to be made available over the next few months between South Africa and the DRC. “The new capacity is not destination specific and could also include Kinshasa,” he says.
Andries Ntjane, deputy director of licensing and permits for the Department of Transport, says two more frequencies a week between South Africa and the DRC will become available in March and a further two in October.
He explains that the Council still needs to grant and allocate capacity to Comair and/or other airlines who have also applied for the same rights. Ntjane confirmed that other airlines that have applied for the rights include Airlink, InterAir, SAA and SA Express. He said the applications would be discussed at the Council’s meeting in April. Currently SA Express flies five times a week between Johannesburg and Lubumbashi, while Korongo Airlines flies three times a week.
“The specified start-up date and other conditions to operate this route will be determined when the capacity is allocated by the IASC. If Comair is allocated capacity by the Council and the start-up date is specified, it will start operating the route as soon as it is in a position to do so – but no longer than one year after being issued with a licence,” says Ntjane.
Comair believes the Johannesburg-Lubumbashi route will be a lucrative one, due to the rapid development of mining and business activity in the area, and increased consumer demand on the route. According to Venter, it has not yet been determined which brand, kulula.com or British Airways (operated by Comair), will service this destination, however the intention is to operate the Boeing 737-400 aircraft on the route.
“Adding the DRC to its route network suitably fits into Comair’s overall route development strategy, as Comair continues to grow its footprint into Africa,” says Venter.
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