This weekend, Kulula and British Airways flights were cancelled due to safety concerns. Stranded passengers scrambled to find flights at other airlines. FlySafair's CMO explains how 'situations like this one are not good for anyone', despite the business.
Airports around the country this weekend were thrown into turmoil after the South African Civil Aviation Authority was forced to ground two carriers regarding safety concerns. Local low-cost carrier, FlySafair, is one of the few airlines left to accommodate those stranded by last-minute cancellations.“This weekend’s groundings meant that almost four in every ten passengers due to travel were left stranded,” says Kirby Gordon, Chief Marketing Officer at FlySafair.
The low-cost airline model was established in the early 1950s and a key characteristic has always been the most efficient possible aircraft utilisation. While carriers like FlySafair can sometimes activate a spare aircraft, it’s generally not expected that they would be able to add many more flights when their fleet is being properly used. However, this is exactly what FlySafair did in order to add an additional ten flights this weekend.
The big question on everyone’s lips is whether airlines will be looking to pass these additional costs on to consumers. “Airlines, especially low-cost carriers who operate on high-frequency routes like us, are generally considered to be what economists callwhich means that the fares we can achieve are set by market forces of supply and demand.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
CAA says Comair knew about safety issues that led to planes being grounded
Read more »
BREAKING NEWS: Comair grounded indefinitelyOperator of BA and Kulula flights indefinitely grounded after failing to convince the aviation regulator that its safety systems were adequate
Read more »
Thousands stranded as aviation authority grounds Comair indefinitelyComair – parent company of kulula.com and a local British Airways franchise – was initially grounded for 24 hours on Saturday.
Read more »
Comair air operator certificate suspended indefinitely due to ‘imminent risk’The South African Civil Aviation Authority has confirmed that Comair's air operator certificate has been suspended indefinitely.
Read more »