Long-awaited new LCC, Skywise, plans to launch domestic flights as early as the beginning of next year, but under new ownership.
Pak Africa Aviation announced at the end of October it was in the process of purchasing the Air Service Licence (ASL) of Skywise, which has been struggling to launch flights since mid-2012. The airline was dealt a heavy blow when the Department of Transport cancelled its ASL in April this year because the airline failed to operate before the licence expiry date. An extension of the licence was eventually obtained.
Pak Africa Aviation CEO, Tabassum Qadir, told Tourism Update 1time Holdings, which it is still in the process of purchasing, would be the JSE-listed holding company but the LCC would operate under the name of Skywise.
Qadir said Skywise would begin operating domestic routes in the beginning of 2015, deploying one B737-300 and two A320s. She would not divulge which routes were being considered but added that regional operations were also on the cards for the end of 2015. Qadir added that the airline would be a true low-fare carrier but she could not disclose yet what prices to expect on the new routes.
She said Skywise would both retain its name and its original management team. However, whether the original Skywise management team, consisting of ex-1time founders, Rodney James, Glenn Orsmond, Michael Kaminski, and Johan Borstlap, would stay in place remained to be seen. Wayne Duvenage, who also forms part of the current management team, told Tourism Update: “The original management team will not participate in the operation of Skywise with Pak Africa. Pak will appoint its own management team.”
According to Duvenage, the purchase of Skywise from the original shareholders includes the ASL and brand as well as the IT developments. He added, however, that the full ownership transfer from the original shareholders to Pak Africa was only partly concluded, and until the conditions from both parties were met, he was unable to comment on the extent of final ownership of the Skywise brand.
Duvenage said the original Skywise model and business plan were right for the South African market but that the airline had failed to take to the skies as a result of an about-turn by one of the funders.