Skywise (airline)
 | |||||||
| |||||||
| Founded | 2013 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commenced operations | March 2013 | ||||||
| Ceased operations | November 2015 | ||||||
| Hubs | OR Tambo International Airport | ||||||
| Fleet size | 2 | ||||||
| Destinations | 2 | ||||||
| Company slogan | Less is More | ||||||
| Headquarters | Johannesburg, South Africa | ||||||
| Key people |
| ||||||
| Website |
skywise | ||||||
Skywise is a South African domestic low cost airline headquartered in Johannesburg and based at OR Tambo International Airport. It soley operated flights between Johannesburg and Cape Town and suspended operations in November 2015.
History
Skywise was founded by Tabassum Qadir and J. Malik in March 2013. In 2014[clarification needed] Skywise received its air service license and the official launch flight took place on 11 February 2015. On 5 March 2015, the first daily scheduled flights commenced.
On 20 October 2015, Skywise announced the reduction of frequency between Johannesburg and Cape Town from eight to six return flights per day. The frequency will be improved shortly as the plans to revitalize the airline are underway. An additional Boeing 737 will be acquired to serve the increased number of flights. The airline is also eyeing regional routes into Africa.
Skywise was barred from taking off from Cape Town or Johannesburg for several hours on 11 October 2015, 12 October 2015, and 13 October 2015 because of debts owed to Airports Company South Africa and Air Traffic & Navigation Services. From a total of 24 flights only 6 flights were affected during the three days. By the 15th October, all flights between Cape Town and Johannesburg – the route that the airline serviced four times a day – were taking off on time. Following the Skywise misfortune against Airports Company of South Africa and Air Transportation and Navigation Services, Skywise received a lot of negative publicity.[1] The media reported that Skywise was "grounded[2]" whilst Skywise affirms that only two of their 8 flights were affected for the day. This formed the major part of media coverage as they maintained that were not flying.
However, the airline has confirmed it received a notice from Acsa warning it would be shut down because of unpaid airport charges[3] and by 10 November 2015 all of Skywise's aircraft had been withdrawn, effectively halting further operations.[4] As of January 2016, no flights have been resumed with the airline's official website being taken offline.
Corporate affairs
Ownership
80% of the airline is owned by South Africans which includes the Mandela Family and the Co-CEO Irfan Pardesi, while 20% is owned by Pak Africa CEO Tabassum Qadir. The company is co-chaired by Faizel Motlekar and J. Malik. Johan Borstlap, is the other Co-CEO and Muhammed Saleem Kachi Kumhar, Deputy Chairperson. Some of the board members had interests in another failed low cost airline, which liquidated in November 2012. Skywise operated in two cities; Johannesburg and Cape Town and the head office is in Sandton City, Johannesburg.
Partnerships
Bid Air Cargo – Skywise has a partnership with BidAir Cargo, a wholly owned subsidiary of BidVest Group, an international investment company that is listed on four stock exchanges internationally – the JSE Securities in South Africa and its counterparts in Australia, London and Luxembourg. Within this group it is a part of BidAir Services a division of BidVest that handles cargo in Africa.
Menzies Aviation – a global provider of passenger, ramp and cargo handling services has grown rapidly since 1995. John Menzies PLC is a Scottish business established in 1833. It has two main divisions: Menzies Distribution and Menzies Aviation and is listed on the London Stock Exchange.
Computicket/Shoprite – the potential of Computicket, South Africa’s leading ticketing company with offerings covering the whole spectrum of leisure activities, came to full fruition when acquired by the group. It gave Computicket a presence in every Checkers and Shoprite supermarket and hyperstore making it accessible to a much broader consumer base. In addition to its traditional ticketing services the company in 2009 moved successfully into the travel market, selling packages mainly online and through its call centre.
Destinations
Skywise Airlines serviced South Africa’s most popular domestic route between Johannesburg and Cape Town, flying six times daily.
South Africa
Fleet
As of January 2016, the Skywise fleet consists of the following aircraft:[5]
| Aircraft | Total | Orders | Passengers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing 737-300 | 1 | — | 142 | currently stored |
| Boeing 737-500 | 1 | — | 126 | currently stored |
| Total | 2 | — |
Sponsorship
- In celebration of 25 years after the release from prison of Nelson Mandela on 11 February 2015 their maiden flight carried scores of children from Kgamane High School, Malapyane in Mpumalanga as well as youths from Thembekile Mandela Foundation.
- On 18 July 2015 Skywise supported the painting of 14 classrooms at Kgamane High School, Malapyane in Mpumalanga as part of the 67 Minutes of Mandela.
- On 22 July 2015 Skywise supported the Laudium Youth Summit with stationery (pens, rulers and bags) in an event organized by the Laudium Women’s Network to celebrate youth from the Laudium community.
See also
References
- ↑ "What's going on at Skywise?". ewn.co.za. Retrieved 2015-11-03.
- ↑ "South African LCC SkyWise grounded for a day over ACSA debts". ch-aviation. Retrieved 2015-11-03.
- ↑ http://ewn.co.za/2015/12/02/Skywise-suspends-all-its-flights-until-further-notice
- ↑ http://www.moneyweb.co.za/news/companies-and-deals/skywises-one-and-only-plane-withdrawn/
- ↑ planespotters.net - Skywise retrieved 17 January 2016
External links
Media related to Skywise at Wikimedia Commons
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||