Tourism minister Lindiwe Sisulu says she hopes the issues between Comair and the South African Civil Aviation Authority (Sacaa) can be resolved soon.
Sisulu said this on Monday after all Comair flights were grounded indefinitely at the weekend.
On Saturday, Sacaa announced the suspension of Comair’s air operation certificate (AOC) after a number of safety-related occurrences. The airline’s AOC was initially suspended for 24 hours but Sacaa said on Sunday it was suspending it “indefinitely”.
“This comes at a bad time as families are preparing for school holidays and holidaymakers are planning Easter getaways. However, our main concern is the effect this will have on tourism and the entire hospitality value chain,” Sisulu said.
The ministry said Comair flights equate to about 40% of the country’s aviation capacity.
Comair operates the budget airline kulula.com and the local British Airways franchise.
Sisulu also raised concern at the increase in airfares on domestic routes after the Sacaa announcement.
“I would like the issues between Comair and Sacaa to be resolved soon, as the tourism industry cannot afford any further discouragements,” Sisulu said.
Meanwhile, Comair employees affiliated to the National Union of Metalworkers of SA were expected to picket outside the company's offices in Kempton Park on Tuesday.
Numsa spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majla said members wanted the board to remove CEO Glenn Orsmond, who they have blamed for the crisis.
"We demand his removal so that the airline has a chance of survival. We demand that the board must appoint someone who has a clear strategy to turn the airline around in the long term, and who can intervene decisively to improve safety and reassure the SACAA to restore the airlines operating licence,” Hlubi-Majola added.
Comair told TimesLIVE that it was doing its best to solve the situation speedily after first having complied with CAA's request to provide it with the necessary documentation.
“This is a huge blow to our customers, employees and the flying public as it effectively takes 40% of the capacity out of the market. The implications for the aviation sector and the country are considerable should the suspension continue for any length of time," Orsmond said.
He said the airline would continue to engage the CAA in a bid to get the suspension lifted, but he could not determine how long this could take.
“Our priority now is to assist passengers who have been stranded. We have chartered two aircraft to assist vulnerable passengers and those who most urgently need to travel." said Orsmond.
TimesLIVE
'Tourism can't afford this': minister hopes Comair will fly again soon
Image: SUNDAY TIMES
Tourism minister Lindiwe Sisulu says she hopes the issues between Comair and the South African Civil Aviation Authority (Sacaa) can be resolved soon.
Sisulu said this on Monday after all Comair flights were grounded indefinitely at the weekend.
On Saturday, Sacaa announced the suspension of Comair’s air operation certificate (AOC) after a number of safety-related occurrences. The airline’s AOC was initially suspended for 24 hours but Sacaa said on Sunday it was suspending it “indefinitely”.
“This comes at a bad time as families are preparing for school holidays and holidaymakers are planning Easter getaways. However, our main concern is the effect this will have on tourism and the entire hospitality value chain,” Sisulu said.
The ministry said Comair flights equate to about 40% of the country’s aviation capacity.
Comair operates the budget airline kulula.com and the local British Airways franchise.
Sisulu also raised concern at the increase in airfares on domestic routes after the Sacaa announcement.
“I would like the issues between Comair and Sacaa to be resolved soon, as the tourism industry cannot afford any further discouragements,” Sisulu said.
Meanwhile, Comair employees affiliated to the National Union of Metalworkers of SA were expected to picket outside the company's offices in Kempton Park on Tuesday.
Numsa spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majla said members wanted the board to remove CEO Glenn Orsmond, who they have blamed for the crisis.
"We demand his removal so that the airline has a chance of survival. We demand that the board must appoint someone who has a clear strategy to turn the airline around in the long term, and who can intervene decisively to improve safety and reassure the SACAA to restore the airlines operating licence,” Hlubi-Majola added.
Comair told TimesLIVE that it was doing its best to solve the situation speedily after first having complied with CAA's request to provide it with the necessary documentation.
“This is a huge blow to our customers, employees and the flying public as it effectively takes 40% of the capacity out of the market. The implications for the aviation sector and the country are considerable should the suspension continue for any length of time," Orsmond said.
He said the airline would continue to engage the CAA in a bid to get the suspension lifted, but he could not determine how long this could take.
“Our priority now is to assist passengers who have been stranded. We have chartered two aircraft to assist vulnerable passengers and those who most urgently need to travel." said Orsmond.
TimesLIVE
WATCH | Numsa demands resignation of Comair CEO after grounding
British Airways and Kulula flights grounded for 24 hours by aviation regulator
Passengers stranded as Kulula.com and British Airways flights are indefinitely suspended
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most read
Latest Videos