In 2010 the eyes of the world will be upon South Africa as the teams and supporters of 32 Nations descend upon the country.
Nine cities will play host to matches and the farthest distance bewteen two participating cities is the 1736 kilometre hike between CapeTown and Polokwane. Clearly road travel is possible between some venues and as in the case of Cape Town to Port Elizabeth the road between will provide some of the most outstandingly beautiful scenery on the planet, however realistic everyone on limited time vacations with crowded itineraries will want to fly between matches.
There are now three excellent South African low cost carriers which fly domestic routes within the country and all of which provide exceptional value for money flights - provided you book early to get the best rates.
First with our favourite livery is the funky named " Mango".Formed in 2006, Mango has quickly become one of the success stories of African Aviation. Mango currently flies only four routes:Johannesburg to Cape Town, Cape Town to Durban,Johannesburg to Durban and Cape Town to Bloemfontein but has a high number of frequencies each day and very low prices. It has a fleet a four matched Boeing 737-800 aircraft with seating for 186 passengers and offers a purchase on-board service for snacks and drinks.
Secondly we recommend the green aircraft of Kulula. Kulula is a wholly owned subsidiary of Comair and has it’s HQ at Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport.Comair has been in the aviation business for over 60 years and is in fact the South African franchisee fo British Airways. Kalula has been flying since 2001 and was a pioneer in the value for money aviation sector bringing air fares down and offering affordabl travel to everyone. Since then Kulula has added and taken away airports from it’e network as demend dictaed and the current route network covering five airports in S. Africa- Johannesburg International, Johannesburg Lanseira, Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth. Three international routes are operated to Windhoek-Namibia, Mauritius and Harare in Zimbabwe.
Third but no means least is the red and gold airline "1Time". 1Time perates a low cost operation from it’s two hubs in Johannesburg and Cape Town and flies to six airports in South Africa and one international route to Zanzibar in Tanzania. 1Time commenced operations back in 2004 with flights operating Jo’burg-Cape Town-Jo’burg thus becoming South Africa’s genuine first low cost airline. Currently the airline operates flights from Jo’burg to Cape Town, Durban, George (Garden Route), Port Elizabeth and Zanzibar in Tanzania. From Cap Town flights operate to JNB, Durban, Port Elizabeth and East London. 1Time is a low cost operation and customers buy a basic low fare ticket which includes 20kg checked and one piece of cabin baggage up to 5kgs. Seats are assigned at check in (no extra cost) so there is no on board "bun fight" to get your seat of choice. Food and beverages are available onboard at additional cost.
These three competing carriers have clearly enriched South Africa's domestic aviation market and along with the more traditional regional airlines of South African AIrways "Airlink" and British AIrways franchise, "Comair " will make cost effective, trouble free air travel possible for the expected 450,000 fans who will view matches at the tournament.
South Africa is a glorious country and the prospect of it being host to one of the world's great sporting events will bring its airline infrastructure to the attention of the world's media. Hopefully the strangely named but very efficient trio of Mango, Kulula and 1Time will rise to the challenge and show the world that even if teh South African football team don't win the trophy, South African's low cost airlines are amongst the best in the world.
There are now three excellent South African low cost carriers which fly domestic routes within the country and all of which provide exceptional value for money flights - provided you book early to get the best rates.
Mango
First with our favourite livery is the funky named " Mango".Formed in 2006, Mango has quickly become one of the success stories of African Aviation. Mango currently flies only four routes:Johannesburg to Cape Town, Cape Town to Durban,Johannesburg to Durban and Cape Town to Bloemfontein but has a high number of frequencies each day and very low prices. It has a fleet a four matched Boeing 737-800 aircraft with seating for 186 passengers and offers a purchase on-board service for snacks and drinks.
Kulula
Secondly we recommend the green aircraft of Kulula. Kulula is a wholly owned subsidiary of Comair and has it’s HQ at Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport.Comair has been in the aviation business for over 60 years and is in fact the South African franchisee fo British Airways. Kalula has been flying since 2001 and was a pioneer in the value for money aviation sector bringing air fares down and offering affordabl travel to everyone. Since then Kulula has added and taken away airports from it’e network as demend dictaed and the current route network covering five airports in S. Africa- Johannesburg International, Johannesburg Lanseira, Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth. Three international routes are operated to Windhoek-Namibia, Mauritius and Harare in Zimbabwe.
1Time
Third but no means least is the red and gold airline "1Time". 1Time perates a low cost operation from it’s two hubs in Johannesburg and Cape Town and flies to six airports in South Africa and one international route to Zanzibar in Tanzania. 1Time commenced operations back in 2004 with flights operating Jo’burg-Cape Town-Jo’burg thus becoming South Africa’s genuine first low cost airline. Currently the airline operates flights from Jo’burg to Cape Town, Durban, George (Garden Route), Port Elizabeth and Zanzibar in Tanzania. From Cap Town flights operate to JNB, Durban, Port Elizabeth and East London. 1Time is a low cost operation and customers buy a basic low fare ticket which includes 20kg checked and one piece of cabin baggage up to 5kgs. Seats are assigned at check in (no extra cost) so there is no on board "bun fight" to get your seat of choice. Food and beverages are available onboard at additional cost.
These three competing carriers have clearly enriched South Africa's domestic aviation market and along with the more traditional regional airlines of South African AIrways "Airlink" and British AIrways franchise, "Comair " will make cost effective, trouble free air travel possible for the expected 450,000 fans who will view matches at the tournament.
South Africa is a glorious country and the prospect of it being host to one of the world's great sporting events will bring its airline infrastructure to the attention of the world's media. Hopefully the strangely named but very efficient trio of Mango, Kulula and 1Time will rise to the challenge and show the world that even if teh South African football team don't win the trophy, South African's low cost airlines are amongst the best in the world.
