Hilka Birns/CAPE TOWN
A new South African domestic airline, Air Gulf, says it is poised to launch low-fare services.
The airline plans to operate Tupolev Tu-154 and Yakovlev Yak-42 jets, but the aircraft still have to undergo an airworthiness inspection and certification by the South African Civil Aviation Authority.
Civil aviation regulators say an immediate launch is unlikely because the carrier has not yet applied for a licence from the Department of Transport.
Cape Town-based businesswoman Shahnaaz Narker will reportedly own Air Gulf. The carrier is said to have the financial backing of Air Gulf Falcon of the United Arab Emirates.
In recent newspaper advertisements the carrier announced itself open for bookings for flights between Cape Town and Johannesburg, with fares undercutting other established domestic airlines. But its head office at Cape Town International Airport was taking no bookings.
The airline reportedly postponed plans for a daily service this week after objections from South African Airways, Nationwide and British Airways subsidiary Comair. A local newspaper quoted Enus Osman - seconded by Air Gulf Falcon to launch the operation - as saying he had applied for a scheduled licence and had obtained permission for a temporary one. This was revoked, however, because the carrier had intended to wet-lease aircraft from South African charter operator Million Air.
Arrangements were being made for South African inspectors to fly to Air Gulf Falcon's home airport, Sharjah in the UAE, to inspect three Tupolev Tu-154s.
Source: Flight International
