South Africa: South African Airways domestic & regional flights will remain suspended in January 2021!

South Africa's flag carrier, South African Airways, has announced that due to the continuing impact of Covid-19 and the ongoing business rescue process domestic and regional routes will remain cancelled for the month of January 2021. In a statement released by the airline on 14 December 2020 it said that assistance will be provided to all ticketed passengers holding a South African Airways’ ticket. The announcement (SAA Travel Advice Number 27) is applicable to tickets issued on/before 25 March 2020 and subsequent tickets issued up to and including 31 January 2021. Due to the cancellation of the flights operated by South African Airways, customers will be able to use the value of the unused ticket or remaining coupon to issue a credit note/voucher for future travel. The airline's no refunds policy remains in force.

South Africa: The Department of Health has withdrawn health screening by port health officials at domestic departures at all international airports!

South Africa's Department of Health (DoH) has announced the withdrawal of health screening by port health officials at domestic departures at all international airports in South Africa. According to the DoH, the reopening of international travel in South Africa has resulted in the need to redirect the port health capacity to international travel to ensure the risk of importation of cases is minimised. Airport Authorities are still expected to ensure compliance with Covid-19 protocols within their environment, including ensuring all persons entering the terminal buildings are screened, sanitised and are wearing masks.

@Airports_ZA can confirm that the @HealthZA has withdrawn health screening services for domestic departure at all international airports with effect from 23 November 2020. For additional information please contact the Department of Health.

— Airports Company SA (@Airports_ZA) November 24, 2020

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Namibia: Air Namibia to resume domestic operations!

Namibia's flag carrier, Air Namibia, just announced the resumption of domestic operations in Namibia. Effective 20 September 2020, the airline will operate flights from Eros Airport (ERS) in Windhoek to Andimba Toivo ya Toivo Airport (OND) in Ondangwa, Oranjemund Airport (OMD) in Oranjemund, Rundu Airport (NDU) in Rundu, Katima Mulilo Airport (MPA) in Katima Mulilo and Lüderitz Airport (LUD) in Lüderitz as well as from Lüderitz Airport (LUD) to Oranjemund Airport (OMD). Regional and international flights remain suspended.

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South Africa: South African Airways & Mango to rationalise their domestic route network!

South Africa's flag carrier, South African Airways, and its low-cost subsidiary Mango are set to rationalise their route network for improved efficiencies and optimal aircraft utilisation through a revised airline brand schedule. This will see additional Mango operated flights for the domestic market.
Both South African Airways and Mango currently offer 200 return flights per week between Johannesburg and Durban and 278 return flights per week between Johannesburg and Cape Town.
To enhance efficiencies and to provide more diverse offering to customers, whilst responding to demand, the two airline brands will ensure seamless implementation of the revised schedule with effect from 15 January 2018. Once fully implemented Mango will operate 132 return flights on the Johannesburg <> Durban route and 116 return flights on the Johannesburg <> Cape Town route per week. South African Airways will operate 68 return flights between Johannesburg and Durban, and 162 return flights between Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Whilst a seamless booking change is anticipated, assistance will be provided to all ticketed passengers holding South African Airways' Tickets (only) via any of South African Airways' call centres, city travel offices or dedicated travel agent with the following conditions.

The following rebooking conditions apply:

• Rebook onto another South African Airways (SA code) flight for a later date at no extra charge and subject to availability of the same booking class.
• Change of cabin will not be permitted
• This policy is applicable to South African Airways flights only, issued on SA (083) ticket stock on or before 12 December and not on separate tickets of other airlines
• Tickets must be re-issued on or before 31 December 2017

Mango flights will operate on Boeing 737-800s and South African Airways will discontinue operating Airbus A340-600s on the Johannesburg <> Cape Town route.
Members of Voyager, South African Airways' frequent flyer programme, will continue to earn Miles on Mango operated flights if booked on South African Airways' SA code and will continue to enjoy South African Airways' baggage allowance, lounge access and a seamless transfer on to the regional and international network services of South African Airways. Voyager members can also spend their Miles on Mango operated flights, by utilising Miles or a combination of Miles and a range of payment options.

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OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg): No more public announcements for domestic flights!

Airports Company South Africa (Acsa), the state-owned airport management company that operates South Africa's nine major airports, has announced that OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg will no longer make public announcements for domestic flights, such as calls for missing passengers or regular boarding calls. From 15 November 2017, terminal announcements will only be made for irregular operations such as gate changes‚ flight time changes‚ security matters‚ system failures and customer service anomalies such as lost minors. According to OR Tambo International Airport spokesperson Leigh Gunkel-Keuler, the silencing of the public address microphone for domestic flights is an effort in reducing the noise pollution at airports.

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South Africa: Mango to launch daily flights to Port Elizabeth

South African budget airline Mango will launch daily flights between Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth and between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth on 05 December 2012. Initially, the airline will operate one return flight daily between the respective cities. Flights to and from Port Elizabeth go on sale on Tuesday (20 November 2012) this week.  
Mango is a subsidiary of South African Airways and operates domestic flights in South Africa. The airline's main base is OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.

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South Africa: 1time to offer more flights in December

South Africa's budget airline 1time has increased the number of flights available during the festive season to meet the customer demand in December.
The airline is offering 52 additional flights on the George <> Johannesburg route, 32 more flights between Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth, 26 additional frequencies between Johannesburg and East London as well as 16 extra flights between Cape Town and East London.

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South Africa: Budget airline Mango first airline to introduce in-flight Wi-Fi

We reported last week that the South African Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has approved Wi-Fi services on South African flights. In the meantime WirelessG, the company that applied for it, has announced that it will start offering their service on Mango’s Boeing 737-800 planes first. According to some reports, South African Airways might follow a few months afterwards. Comair Limited, operator of British Airways in South Africa and kulula.com, is currently not in talks with WirelessG about installing the in-flight Wi-Fi-system on their planes.
Mango’s Boeing 737-800 planes will be equipped with system that provides the users with Internet access (e-mails and SMS services) using a satellite connection, but there are already plans to integrate in-flight entertainment as well.

The South African Civil Aviation Authority is paving the way for in-flight Internet access

The South African Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has approved Wi-Fi services on South African flights, Techcentral is reporting.
According to the article, the Civil Aviation Authority has approved an application by hot spot provider WirelessG to install Wi-Fi equipment in commercial aircrafts in South Africa.
The service will allow the use of any Wi-Fi enabled device in-flight. Dual-mode devices using GSM for mobile communication must still be switched off, but the CAA may allow the airlines equipped with the in-flight Wi-Fi technology to accommodate the use of Wi-Fi-only with supported phones.

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Velvet Sky to increase flight schedule

South Africa's latest budget airline, Velvet Sky, will increase its flight schedule for the summer season. From 04 November 2011 the airline will be offering additional flights on the Johannesburg <> Durban, Cape Town <> Johannesburg, Cape Town <> Durban, Cape Town <> Port Elizabeth, Durban <> Port Elizabeth routes.
Even more flights will be added on 05 November 2011 (Johannesburg > Durban, Johannesburg <> Cape Town), on 06 November 2011 (Cape Town <> Durban, Cape Town <> Port Elizabeth, Durban <> Port Elizabeth), on 02 December 2011 (Johannesburg <> Cape Town, Cape Town <> Durban, Cape Town <> Port Elizabeth, Port Elizabeth > Durban), on 06 December 2011 (Durban > Port Elizabeth) and on 09 December (Johannesburg <> Cape Town).
For more info, pls see Velvet Sky's website!