A new South African operator, On Safari, wants to start scheduled services to London in the UK from Hoedspruit (Northern Province) and Cape Town.
Sources say On Safari is planning to use Boeing 767 twinjets. The applicant was to present its case to Pretoria's Air Service Licensing Council on 25 January, but the hearing was postponed because of objections, including one from South African Airways (SAA). On Safari declines to comment ahead of the hearing.
The newcomers have been unsettled by non-starter African Star's legacy, which they expect will result in regulators scrutinising their financial state. African Star was awarded an international licence last July but so far has failed to secure funding.
Industry sources say leading On Safari's application is Terry Bengis, an aviation consultant last linked to unsuccessful attempts to build an international airport in Mpumalanga. Also involved is John Murray, former chief executive of SA Alliance, an African airline part owned by SAA.
Source: Flight International
