Just thought, with the upcoming new subforums that topical issues in the aviation industry should get there own threads. so here's the first on this interesting new development...my turn to nothing, but lets see...


I think DB is talking about this....

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New low-cost airline set to fly SA's skies

December 06 2008 at 11:05AM

By Bronwyn Gerretsen

A new domestic airline will take to South African skies in January, injecting much-needed competition into the local airline industry.

Operating from Durban, Airtime Airlines will start commercial operations on January 4 and eventually set up a route network of nine scheduled return flights a day, three each to Johannesburg, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth.

There is also the possibility of international operations commencing once the King Shaka International airport at La Mercy is opened in 2010.

The birth of the new low-cost airline will fill a desperately needed competitive position in the market, made even larger with the departure of Nationwide Airlines earlier in 2008 due to liquidation.

Koomaresen Eargambram, the aviation consultant responsible for the airline's commercial operations, said although it was a low-cost airline, it would offer competitive airfares, free snacks, drinks and a daily newspaper.

Also included in the ticket price would be one free bag-wrap for a passenger's checked-in baggage.

KZN Tourism CEO Ndabo Khoza said he had not been aware of the introduction of the new airline but was excited at the prospect.

Furthermore, it "can go a long way" towards aviation development for the new airport, as it was not only international flights that were needed but also a strong domestic network.

He said competition in the domestic airline industry was needed and he had been disappointed when plans for another airline to take over Nationwide had failed.

"If you look at what happened in the aviation industry, Nationwide was operating and was making money. I think if (this airline) has a very good business model then it could work and it could make money.

"As a province, if the airline decides to hub in Durban then that is good for us."

Khoza also said he was interested in the extent to which Airtime Airlines would become a regional player and link the city with others such as Botswana, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Namibia.

Operating a fleet of three leased Boeing 737s, the airline will begin its operations with flights between Durban and Johannesburg.

A website will be launched on December 14 and bookings will open thereafter.

With the pay-off line Durban's Connexion, the airline's target market is the young corporate executive and self-employed business person.

Eargambram said the airline would also introduce a loyalty programme called iFLY Airtime early in the new year.

Payments for flight bookings may be done via bank ATMs, online banking or cellphone banking.

"This means that you may book your flight now and pay later. Payment via credit cards will be available but is not encouraged due to high levels of fraud. You will pay the same fare regardless of the booking method used but you will be rewarded when using mobile SMS and being part of the iFLY Airtime loyalty programme," he said.

Car hire will also be incorporated early in the new year and the introduction of a fleet of new-generation aircraft is planned for the third quarter of 2009, Eargambram said.

Airfares and information will be available via mobile SMS function to the SMS short code number 32FLY (32359), the call centre on 086 100 2FLY (086 100 2359) or www.flyairtime. co.za.

"We are marketing the airline as a Durban-based airline with flights originating and terminating in Durban. We view Durban as the Singapore of South Africa," Eargambram said.

This article was originally published on page 4 of Cape Argus on December 06, 2008

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=vn20081206102004648C659599

^^ Hmmm. Interesting. I hope these aren't the 732's from Nationwide :ohno:

Interesting indeed. Lets hope they get a R100M interest free loan from govt, oh wait no, my bad... I wonder if this is the same consortium (Blacbird Aerospace) that wanted to buy Nationwide out and set up in Durban? CE's B732s were recently auctioned for something like US$500k each which is obscenely cheap for an aeroplane, so maybe whoever bought them is leasing them to Airtime.

Not crazy about the name - sound more like a Vodacom package than a LCC airline. Good luck to them anyway.

Just got my research on, and it appears that Airtime is run by the Blackbird Aerospace consortium that was interested in buying Nationwide. I'm pretty certain that means that intial ops will run with the ex-CE B732s, but in Blackbird's plans for Nationwide they talked about Embraer 170/190s that would ultimately make up their fleet, so I don't see why Airtime won't have the same plan.

Durban based...interesting, this must surely be the first airline based in Durban and if i am correct will be the only one outside of Joburg if it starts operations?

Look forward to hearing more, would be a good thing for competition if it can come through, and with planes so cheap at the moment, hopefully they will get some 737-800s at least. No more 1time death traps please!!!!

Here's hoping its not another airline that doesnt leave the ground. Anyone know anything about the guy that is starting it up?


Those Embraer look like good planes and would be a welcome addition to the skies. The size and newness of them would also work well imo in the SA market...

where can i read up on this Blackbird consortium?

I googled "Koomaresen Eargambram" who is the brains of the outift. That came up with a bit of info on Blackbird.

This would the first 'major' airline to be based completely outside of JNB. SA Express has a small base at CPT where a couple of their CRJs are kept.

...

Seems he has been planning this long before the Nationwide buyout attempt...

Pioneering pilot ready to spread his wings
Subashni Naidoo
Published:Mar 15, 2008


Koomaresen Eargambram made headlines 20 years ago when he became the country’s first black pilot.

Today, Eargambram owns an aviation company and is planning to set up a domestic airline.

His company is involved in aircraft sales, maintenance and management, pilot training, airport planning and air- service operations.

Last Sunday, he invited a group of corporate clients for a 45-minute demonstration flight from Durban International Airport in a 26-million jet his company will be acquiring later this year. He also plans to buy two smaller 10-million jets to establish a domestic airline based in Durban.


“Our company is in discussions with representatives from a Brazilian aircraft manufacturing company regarding the acquisition of corporate jets for the business aviation division. There are also discussions regarding the feasibility of starting up a domestic airline to be based in Durban,” he said.

His aviation career began 20 years ago when he was accepted by the South African Air Force (SAAF) to train as a pilot.

“I earned my wings on Harvards — single-engine training aircraft — and thereafter flew military helicopters. I was the first person of colour to qualify as a military pilot in South Africa’s armed forces.”

Seven years later, he quit the SAAF and joined South African Airways as a pilot flying commercial jets on domestic and international routes.

In September last year, he took up a position as chief executive of Blackbird Aerospace Corporation (BAC).

“I resigned from SAA to expand BAC into flight training for pilots and cabin crew by buying out the Natal Flight Academy, which is the oldest flying school in KwaZulu-Natal, and we are now beginning a corporate aviation venture to be based at Durban International Airport.”

He said he was determined to make a contribution to improving the aviation industry in South Africa.

http://www.thetimes.co.za/PrintEdition/News/Article.aspx?id=727595

To me he sounds like a genuine guy, with sheer determination that has propelled him throught the ranks over the years. I wish him the best of luck!

I'd like to find out what the livery and tail will look like. logo?

One (of the) problem(s) I have with this type of thing... And I saw it happen with 1Time, and even to a greater extent with Mango... A machine goes technical at some base, and passengers are stranded for like 12 hours as there isn't any way to get them out due to the low frequency and the fact that, technically, 33% of the fleet is now grounded....

If it works, great. If it doesn't... .... ... eish!!!! I feel sorry for those bargain hunters.

^^ i hear the reasoning completely. but i would rather support these airlines (1time, kulula and now this one) than support an SAA or BA (who i believe are more crap than SAA even)

I really don't like SAA, in fact, I think I could say that I HATE them... but I still use them when I fly domestically... I simply do not trust the technical divisions for the other (LCC) airlines. Especially 1Time...

I simply do not trust the technical divisions for the other (LCC) airlines. Especially 1Time...

That is the opinion amongst most of the general public in South Africa, however there really isn't anything to be concerned over. BA/Comair (and hence Kulula) have all of their maintenance done by SAA Technical, while 1Time Holdings have recently acquired a controlling stake in Safair Technical who have done 737 and MD80 maintenance for years. Details of Airtime's maintenance haven't been released yet, but I would think they would sub-contract it to Safair.

Airtime's website goes live next week Sun (14/12), so we should get an idea of branding / colourscheme then.

It's a really difficult time to be launching an airline but best of luck to them. Will be really good if they do launch some regional routes. Good for Durbs.

^^ yeah the regional connections is what Durban is most lacking still. I would imagine that a fair bit of the African routes would work outside of mother joburg.

...and when the airtime is up ...please call me? ;)

Agge nee really.... this whole thing smells funny.

My prediction is, they will not make it. Flitestar, Sunair, Nationwide... same route.

Well the guy seems comitted, and with the rate our "low cost" airline prices are going, if he plays his cards right, he could go far.

Agge nee really.... this whole thing smells funny.

My prediction is, they will not make it. Flitestar, Sunair, Nationwide... same route.

But Kulula, 1time and Mango (yes extra funding from gov here) have all made it.

Just another update on the Airtime situation:

Their website (http://www.flyairtime.co.za/) is semi-alive advertising cell-phone and airline ticket combo's (!?), branding looks a smite budget/tacky for me.

Apparently 3 of Nationwide's B732s were auctioned off to an anon. buyer for US$300k today - could well be Airtime Airlines. Lets see what happens.

Just another update on the Airtime situation:

Their website (http://www.flyairtime.co.za/) is semi-alive advertising cell-phone and airline ticket combo's (!?), branding looks a smite budget/tacky for me.

Apparently 3 of Nationwide's B732s were auctioned off to an anon. buyer for US$300k today - could well be Airtime Airlines. Lets see what happens.

No surprises here.

Just another update on the Airtime situation:

Their website (http://www.flyairtime.co.za/) is semi-alive advertising cell-phone and airline ticket combo's (!?), branding looks a smite budget/tacky for me.

Apparently 3 of Nationwide's B732s were auctioned off to an anon. buyer for US$300k today - could well be Airtime Airlines. Lets see what happens.

that website is a bit of a joke. They sell cellphones and plane tickets? hmmm... well i suppose Kulula are doing it...

Agree on the tacky looking branding, doesnt instill confidence that they would not pay an agency to design a quality logo

looks like a Cell C thing :S

Oh my god... that website is hilarious.... it looks like freakin' practical joke or something..... :lol:

Can't be, someone is pulling a stunt, this can't be true!
Did you read all the small print...flights worth R1500 (return)...DUR-JNB? R1500 return!? Not very low-cost! And FREE delivery...to all national airports!? Huh?

First the name is very alike to 1Time...not they're also going for red!?

Oh dear...it doesn't exactly inspire confidence.

so u buy a phone for R795, and u get a free starter pack, free R25 airtime vocher & a free return plane ticket to Jozy, lol

Airtime Airlines have started sponsoring the East Coast Radio Top 100

Airtime Airlines have started sponsoring the East Coast Radio Top 100

Oi vey! They aren't even flying, and they are already sponsoring....

^^ well they need to get their name out there somehow before they commence operations

From Business Day (11 Dec). Wonder who they've partnered with...

Cut-rate airline for young executives
Julius Baumann

WHILE losses in the global airline industry continue to climb and passenger volumes remain in the doldrums, Durban-based Blackbird Aerospace plans to launch a new low-fare airline called Airtime Airlines aimed at young executives.

Using a fleet of three Boeing 737-200s, Airtime will operate three daily flights from Durban to Cape Town, Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth, starting early in the new year.


The airline will later switch to a more fuel-efficient Embraer fleet.

Blackbird CEO Vino Eargambram said yesterday the airline would be a full-

service carrier, serving drinks and food. “While we have been labelled a low-cost airline it is really a low-fare airline aimed at the young executive.”

Eargambram felt that contrary to conventional wisdom in the industry, it was a perfect time to start an airline.

“The depressed market meant that we secured great contracts with our suppliers.”

He said everything was in place for the airline to begin trading, and it had taken over most of the counters and office space previously used by failed airline Nationwide at the four airports it would serve.

The airline would begin selling tickets from January 4, and start flights later next month. Eargambram expected most fares to be sold over the internet and via cellphones using SMSes.

Airtime would cover all passenger liability in the event the airline did not fly.

“We do not want a repeat of Nationwide,” Eargambram said.

The new airline would be a joint venture between Blackbird and a Johannesburg-based aviation company, which he declined to name. “All will be revealed in January,” he said.

In August, Blackbird came close to securing what remained of Nationwide before the deal collapsed over a dispute about unused tickets. At the time, John Cameron, the attorney for former Nationwide CEO Vernon Bricknell, demanded that Blackbird underwrite R71m in unused Nationwide tickets, a condition Blackbird refused to accept.

“After the Nationwide deal fell apart we needed a new partner to launch the airline, which we have now found,” Eargambram said.

The Civil Aviation Authority said yesterday it had not yet issued Airtime with an air operator’s certificate, while Airports Company SA said it had not been approached formally for landing and departures slots at the airports.

New airline for SA?

Article By: iafrica.com
Fri, 12 Dec 2008 09:33


A new tailfin will soon - if all goes according to plan - be seen zooming across South Africa's skies.

According to travel trade publication TravelHub, the Durban-based domestic carrier will be called Airtime Airlines and will launch its first flight on January 18 from Durban to Johannesburg.

While no information was available on the airline's supposed website — www.flyairtime.co.za — TravelHub reports that travellers will purchase 'minutes' rather than a conventional point-to-point ticket. A Durban-Johannesburg flight will be worth 75min, Durban to PE 85min, and Durban to Cape Town 125min.

According to TravelHub, the price per minute will not vary depending on demand (a practice used by carriers worldwide), and all surcharges and taxes will be included. Travellers will be able to purchase a 'starter pack' of a pre-paid 'minutes' valid for travel across the airline's network for up to a year. Minutes that are not used within the year can be converted to airtime valid for any of South Africa's cell networks.

TravelHub reports that Airtime will launch with three 118-seater aircraft, and will also use an SMS-driven booking procedure.

Whether the SA aviation market will be big enough for another carrier remains to be seen… despite lower fuel prices, with crowded skies and travellers watching their wallets as recession takes hold South Africa's airlines are going to have to work hard for their business.

And, given previous debacles with airlines going bust and passengers left stranded, all but the most price-conscious travellers are going to be wary of booking on an airline still building a track record.

thats an interesting booking method to me, kinda have to get your head around it, but is actually quite smart imo

LOL @ this company.

LOL @ this company.

LOVL!!!

Here's a pretty good article that give some clarity.

Will new airline take off?
Article By: Melany Bendix, Travel Industry Review
Sat, 13 Dec 2008 14:42

Airtime Airlines, a new domestic airline using cellphone airtime as payment for tickets, plans to start flying out of Durban on January 18. But, despite what appear to be honourable intentions, there is some uncertainty around whether the start-up airline will be able to overcome all the regulatory hurdles in time for its planned launch.

Vino Eargambram, Chief Executive of Blackbird Aerospace — the company that attempted to buy Nationwide Airlines earlier this year — is responsible for the commercial operations of Airtime Airlines.

He plans to open sales for the carrier's first Durban/Johannesburg route on 4 January and start operating three daily return flights on the route from 18 January. Flights to Cape Town and/or Port Elizabeth are next in the pipeline, possibly by February 2009.

Licensing hiccups?

Mr. Eargambram said Airtime Airlines is a joint venture operation that will be operating under the existing licenses held by AirQuarius Aviation, the Lanseria Airport-based company it is leasing three Boeing 737s from.

"It is basically the same arrangement as with Comair and kulula, whereby kulula operates aircraft under Comair's license... Airtime Airlines is essentially only the brand name," he explained.

AirQuarius Aviation Chief Executive, Gavin Branson, confirmed that he had a commercial agreement with Blackbird Aerospace (for Airtime Airways) that allowed for the use of the company's license from the Air Licensing Council of South Africa (ALC) and Air Operating Certificate from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Both are prerequisites for airlines operating commercial flights in South Africa.

"It is now a matter of giving the ALC and CAA the mandatory 14-day notification that we will be operating under AirQuarius, which we plan to do on Monday (15 December)," said Mr. Eargambram.

The ALC, however, did not agree that it is quite so simple.

A member of the ALC board confirmed that Airtime Airlines could operate under an existing license, but she said the airline would first have to submit a request for the ALC's approval of this arrangement and the ALC would then have to meet to grant the approval.

She pointed out that the ALC board's next meeting is only scheduled for 21 January — three days after Airtime Airlines plans to start flying.

Mr. Eargambram said he had been told the next ALC meeting would be on 4 January, which would leave enough time for the regulatory processes to be completed, but said he would look into this.

CAA spokesperson, Phindiwe Gwebu, said Airtime Airlines had not yet submitted a formal application to operate under AirQuarius' Air Operating Certificate and that the CAA had made its own enquiries after finding out about these plans via the press.

"The conditions of the agreement between Blackbird or Airtime and Air Aquarius should be formally made known to the CAA through an application process," she said, adding that the application process takes 14 days during which time several criteria must be fulfilled, including confirmation that all the ALC's conditions have been met.

Aircraft and sales ready to go...

Despite the regulatory hiccups that could possibly lead to the 18 January launch being postponed, Airtime Airlines appears to have most of its ducks in a row.

Mr. Branson confirmed that the three B737s, each carrying a maximum of 118 passengers, are serviced and ready to go and that he held an initial six-month contract for the leasing and maintenance of the three aircraft.

According to Mr. Eargambram, cabin crew, ground staff and pilots have already been hired, several of them from Nationwide.

The airline's website, www.flyairtime.co.za, was launched last week in order to familiarise the public with its product offering. A call centre and text message information service are set to be launched shortly.

Fly with airtime...

The concept behind the airline, explained Mr Eargambram, is unique in that passengers will buy airtime minutes rather than tickets and then trade in their minutes for flights.

Passengers will buy a cellphone starter pack with minutes, and if these minutes are not traded in for flights within a year, they can be converted back into airtime for all three of South Africa's cellphone networks; Vodacom, MTN and Cell C.

Although the airline's business model is based on a low-cost operation, extras such as drinks, snacks and free baggage wrap will be included in the ticket price.

"We don't plan to be the next Mango or Kulula, we are a low-key operation targeting a very distinct market — young professionals and self-employed business people," stressed Mr. Eargambram, who said the Airtime Airline concept had been two years in the making.

He added that several other product offerings are in the pipeline, including a loyalty programme called iFLY Airtime and a unique incentive that will be revealed in the new year.

Funding and passenger protection...

Mr. Eargambram would not reveal who is funding the operation, but said there is more than one investor backing the airline. He would not confirm or deny whether a cellphone company is one of the investors, only saying that one of the players is involved in the cellphone industry.

Asked whether passenger fares would be protected by a trust fund or insurance policy, Mr. Eargambram said a consultant was currently investigating a passenger liability insurance scheme for the airline, but this had yet to be finalised.

"We are looking at having the price of insurance included in the ticket, or it could be a separate add on charge. We're not sure yet, but we definitely want to protect our passengers from instances like the Nationwide (refund) debacle," he said.

He also confirmed that Airtime Airlines will not apply for membership of the airline regulatory body, the International Air Traffic Association (IATA).

Aviation commentator and Managing Director of Plane Talking, Linden Birns, pointed out that successful low-cost airlines such as RyanAir and easyJet are also not members of the airline association.

"Non-membership of IATA should not necessarily be regarded as something negative or to be cautioned against," he said. "As long as passengers familiarise themselves and agree with their contractual rights when purchasing tickets, then they should be secure," he said.

very interesting article Greg. i am still a bit confused by the ticket buying method. Surely i can still use my credit card to by on the net? otherwise alot of people will be lost as potential customers

Looks like the airtime concept comes from one of the cell companies, which is part owner.

I am also slightly confused about buying tickets, but all will be revealed when the website is up and running. AirQuarius are a reasonably good company, good idea for Airtime to use their AOC since applying for a new one is a serious pain.

Mate works down at Virginia and knows these guys. Says they have placed provisional orders for the Embraer 175 and 190 and have plans for Cape town launch in february, PE in March and first regional flight to windhoek in September

Looks like the airtime concept comes from one of the cell companies, which is part owner.

^^ I was thinking the very same thing... I have had suspicions that the owners of KZN-based iTalk Cellular are partner's with this oke now... think about the 'i' ...

iTalk is now a R500 million a year company ...
And, now MTN and the JSE-listed Huge Group are now vying to buy the business from its founding owners...
MTN are strong contenders because they were JV partners in the group when it was started & now they want to buy the majority balance of the company... with the founders wanting to sell... and probably invest in bigger 'high-flying' ventures...

Mate works down at Virginia and knows these guys. Says they have placed provisional orders for the Embraer 175 and 190 and have plans for Cape town launch in february, PE in March and first regional flight to windhoek in September

Hope those plans go ahead. I'm especially excited about the regional links. Windhoek and Lusaka would be the most obvious. Maputo, Gaberone, Harare and Vic Falls also make sense. And Manzini, Vilanculos, Antanarivo and Luanda could work.

Buying minutes? so what if the plane flys to Jozy in 55minutes, do we get a refund of the 20min? lol

^^ hehe

From my side the most obvious additions besides Windhoek would be a competitor on some of those Mozam routes, def a Livingstone flight, maybe include Luanda due to the new links that are forging between Durban and them on a shipping basis and hence business level.

Nairobi would be another one high on my list.

I'm just very surprised that no one is offering these out of Durban and CT at present

Luanda would be great but there is virtually no chance of that happening anytime soon. The RSA and Angolan govts control the traffic rights between the 2 countries and both are only interested in their national carriers flying JNB-LAD.

Windhoek would be great, as would Maputo and Lusaka (maybe carrying onto Livingstone?).

^^ thats sad news, as those are some of the most useless connections for anyone (JNB - LAD) and are more costly than my flights to Europe or middle east. When i've used that route this year planes were full and good 25% of my flight were follow on's from my SAA durban leg.

African govts are protective of the routes into/out of their countries, but Angola are probably the worst of the bunch. SAA is one of the few foreign airlines to have so many flights to LAD (6x weekly I think) as other European airlines (BA, LH) only serve LAD 2/3x a week. Just have to grin and bear it for the foreseable future I guess.

website says launch on 22 Dec of it...here's hoping it looks decent!

........thats today, lets keep an eye out in the skys and on ORT

^^ no man, website launch today lol!! Flights are end of January :)

oh! but its still down, LOL

Website now up and running, saying sale opens Monday 5 January. Very smart, with music.

Website now up and running, saying sale opens Monday 5 January. Very smart, with music.

Website does look very good - much better that I had anticipated. Branding seems to be different to the red, black and white of the previous websites. First flight on 25 Jan.

ya its a completely different colour palate...great website from a design and tech perspective, wonder how much it will change once sales go live? also hope that they will still offer normal online creditcard sales too.

Took a screen shot of the initial schedule for the DUR - JNB flights. Seems they will only have the one plane to run initially, i presume the second and third planes for the DUR - PLZ and DUR - CPT routes will be getting worked on now as well for the lanuches in feb...surely someone somewhere can get a shot of the livery??

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/airtimeweb.jpg

Hope the livery doesn't stay the old red - the name is already similar enough to 1Time. No flights on saturdays!

Hope they do well.

^^ ya but saturdays are such a down day in the air trade anyway, having like one or 2 flights would probably be pointless

The website does have a nice design...but for some reason it doesn't gel well with me. It doesn't feel like it's an airline's website. It feels more like a powerpoint presentation or a website for a small company. There just needs to be *more* and putting a few plane-related design elements in there would go down nicely in my opinion.

^^ I agree. It looks cheap, dare I say amateurish...

It's also stupid that the information area looks squashed, with the huge header and footer and other design elements taking up so much of the screen real estate.

prices look keen tho, R225 one way from durbs to jhb!!!

and the Cape Town and PE schedules and prices will go up on the 11th

Source: http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/topstories.aspx?ID=BD4A913075

NEW low-cost airline Airtime is expected to spark a price war with rival airlines if it takes off later this month as planned.

According to Airtime’s website, fares for flights between Durban and Johannesburg from January 25 to March 22 are being sold for as little as R225 for a one-way ticket, excluding airport charges.

That is more than half the cost on rival airlines for the same time period.

Gidon Novick, joint CEO of Comair, operator of British Airways and kulula.com, said yesterday that there was already overcapacity in the local market, “particularly with state-funded capacity”, and that any additional competition would put pressure on ticket pricing.

Mango spokesman Hein Kaiser said the airline would not adjust its prices in response to the launch of Airtime. However, the sharp drop in fuel prices would allow it to cut fares substantially this year, to as low as R290 one way on some routes.

Glenn Orsmond, CEO of 1Time Holdings, said that Airtime’s fares were clearly aimed at launching the airline and could not be sustained. He said that 1Time would not drop its fares in response.

However, whether Airtime will take to the skies on January 25 is still in doubt.

Blackbird Aviation, the group behind the new airline, was pursuing an agreement late last year with Lanseria-based aviation group Air Aquarius to lease three Boeing 737-200s and use the company’s air operator certificate (AOC), needed to begin operations as an airline.

However, Air Aquarius CEO Gavin Branson said yesterday that the deal had collapsed and that his company would no longer be partnering Blackbird Aviation.

That appears to leave Airtime with no aircraft and no AOC barely three weeks before it is due to begin flights between Johannesburg and Durban.

The airline had planned to begin flying from Durban to Cape Town and Port Elizabeth later in the year.

Blackbird Aviation CEO Vino Eargambram was unavailable for comment yesterday.

Civil Aviation Authority spokesman Ishmael Mokoena said yesterday that Airtime still did not have an AOC.

“Even if Airtime is to use another company’s AOC, it would take time to modify the licence allowing Airtime to begin operations,” Mokoena said.

If Airtime were to apply for its own AOC, the process would be even longer, ruling out the January 25 start-up date.

Colin Naidoo, spokesman for Durban International Airport, confirmed yesterday that Airports Company SA still did not have a formal agreement with Airtime and no arrangement for parking, office space and other facilities had been made for Airtime at the airport.

Airtime has introduced a frequent flyer programme called iFly Airtime where passengers are able to buy airtime with all three of SA’s cellphone operators — MTN, Cell C and Vodacom — which can then be used to buy a ticket.

A one-way fare between Durban and Johannesburg costs 75 airtime minutes, with each minute costing R3.

If the airtime is not used to pay a fare, it can be used to make cellphone calls.

Hmmmm, doesn't as organised as previously. A lack of an AOC and aircraft is a big issue, I hope everything pans out as planned.

hmmm ya, seems they spoke before getting all their ducks in a row...like good ole civair...hope it doesnt turn out that way

Those aircraft are some of the most fuel-inefficient machines ever built (and I suspect those are not the B732 "Advanced") which will make it IMPOSSIBLE for them to keep ticket prices that low. Not to mention that those birds are hard to get off the ground in Johannesburg in the summer time, which will result in offloads, which brings me right back to the discussion around a lack of frequency. AND, since they will not be an IATA member airline, they will not be able to put their passengers on other airlines.

IMHO there is no real Low Cost Airline in South Africa. It is hardly possible for the average person to decide last minute to book a trip somewhere... most of the time prices are on par with, or even more, than SAA. Especially 1Time, and especially Kulula on the JNB-PLZ route, since they don't use their own plane there, and won't dilute their yield on the BA flight going there.

The only time when these so called LCC's are good, is when they have a massive sale.

Those aircraft are some of the most fuel-inefficient machines ever built (and I suspect those are not the B732 "Advanced") which will make it IMPOSSIBLE for them to keep ticket prices that low. Not to mention that those birds are hard to get off the ground in Johannesburg in the summer time, which will result in offloads, which brings me right back to the discussion around a lack of frequency. AND, since they will not be an IATA member airline, they will not be able to put their passengers on other airlines.

IMHO there is no real Low Cost Airline in South Africa. It is hardly possible for the average person to decide last minute to book a trip somewhere... most of the time prices are on par with, or even more, than SAA. Especially 1Time, and especially Kulula on the JNB-PLZ route, since they don't use their own plane there, and won't dilute their yield on the BA flight going there.

The only time when these so called LCC's are good, is when they have a massive sale.

Fuel inefficient etc they may be, but the fact of the matter remains: A B732 costs virtually nothing to acquire and you can just about maintain them with a 13 spanner. Offloads shouldn't be a huge problem on a JNB-DUR sector, even in summer. Anyways, if all goes to plan with Airtime the fluffies are a 6 month stop-gap until the Embraers arrive.

South African LCC's might not offer the amazing 99p fares like their European and American counterparts, but they also do not charge you to check-in at the airport nor to check-in baggage etc etc.

Latest news in is that they (Blackbird Aviation) has failed to lease the three B732's from Aquarius.

In other words, they have NO fleet.

Is this the beginning of the end, as predicted... I think so.

ja nee but it looks like another frot banana...

From what Im hearing things are still going ahead with flights to EL starting in March.

Read an article today highlighting the possibility of the ELS and BFN flights:

EAST Londoners could have another option for flights to and from the city after new low-cost airline Airtime launches its service.

The Durban-based airline is scheduled to debut on January 25 when its first flight leaves Durban for Johannesburg. A one-way ticket would cost a mere R225.

Chief executive officer of Black Bird Aviation, the company running Airtime Airline, Vino Eargambram, said after launching the Durban-Johannesburg flights, they would then start flights from Port Elizabeth and Cape Town, before introducing a service from East London and Bloemfontein.

“We will be flying to East London within the next two months, where we will be offering customers competitive rates,” he said.

The airline, dubbed the “Durban Connexion” , operates on a “pay as you fly” concept.

Customers buy prepaid cellphone airtime rather than plane tickets.

If a flight costs R300, the customer would be required to purchase that amount of airtime and send a text message, quoting the 10-digit cellphone number as a reference.

The airtime is deducted and serves as payment for the flight. Customers have the option of flying a year after purchasing their tickets.

Eargambram said the three major cellphone networks – Vodacom, MTN and Cell C – were part of the deal.

“Our customers will have the choice of the time and flight they want to take, subject, of course, to availability,” said Eargambram.

This, he said, was part of the different reservation system they would offer.

The airline’s recently launched website lists the cheapest flights as those between Johannesburg and Durban, costing R375 one-way and R750 for a return ticket.

Customers flying between Durban and Port Elizabeth will pay R425 for a single trip and R850 return, while the Durban to Cape Town journey will cost R625 for a single and R1250 return.

OR Tambo Airport communications manager Nothemba Noruwana yesterday said she didn’ t know about plans for a new airline to use their airport space.

“I am not aware of the move to introduce a new airline; that information has not been communicated to me,” she said.

It is understood the airline has taken over the office space of the now defunct Nationwide Airline at various airports. - By NTANDO MAKHUB

http://www.dispatch.co.za/article.aspx?id=283879

something isnt right here, how can OR tambo have no info on the airline when it plans to fly on the 25th, and the quotes prices are totally incorrect, something is funky here

^^ :lol: Bad connexion!

Will be interesting to see what develops. Clearly they won't launch in Jan but give them a chance, hopefully they'll start flying in the next few months.

i desperately want them to get up and going but everything just seems so disorganized... holding thumbs though

^^ i think it is not so much disorganisation, but more bad media relation skills. There should never have been a word about the airline in the media until they had finalised everything to the final degree.

I agree, and more importantly they have started to take bookings (i.e peoples money) and that is a sure fire way to damage your reputation if things dont go to plan. Look at the outcry when Civair went bang, but the same man launched the 'same' airline last year (different name: Red Air) and that never took off but no-one heard a thing in the media because they never took any bookings.

As dysan said, timing is crucial for this sort of thing. Anyway, good luck to them, lets hope they can sort something out soon enough.

Schedules for PLZ and CPT also on now...BUT now there is no start-date...
PLZ is also 3 daily...!!!???
CPT is 2 daily.
Every route now seems to have their own top-up rate...PLZ most expensive. No more music.

This is getting interesting...

Making news in the Washington Times:

KRALEV: It's 'pay as you fly' at Airtime startup
Nicholas Kralev ON THE FLY
Monday, January 12, 2009


How would you like to stop worrying about constantly fluctuating airfares and their annoying conditions and penalties, and simply pay a flat per-minute rate based on your flight's distance? You could buy air minutes and "top them up" when they run out.

That's exactly what the new Airtime Airlines in South Africa is promising its future customers. Its motto is "Pay as you fly," and it's advertising a frequent-flier program called iFly on its Web site, which shows scheduled flights between Johannesburg and Durban beginning Jan. 25. It also plans to fly to Cape Town and Port Elizabeth.

"You can top-up with iFly airtime, anytime, then make a booking within 90 days and fly within 365 days of your iFly airtime top-up," the site says. "If you don't book for whatever reason, you will get a cell phone airtime top-up voucher for the full value of your purchase for the mobile network of your choice."

The current rate, which is likely to increase, is about 63 cents per minute, or about $47 for the 75-minute flight between Johannesburg and Durban, including taxes. A round trip is double that price. Air time can be purchased online or by text messaging.

The Durban-based airline is backed by the Blackbird Aerospace Corp., whose chief executive officer, Vino Eargambram, dismissed skepticism that the time is not right to start a new carrier, given the state of the airline industry. In fact, "the depressed market meant that we secured great contracts with our suppliers," he told South African media last month.

Since then, however, Mr. Eargambram has been silent, which has raised suspicions that his plans may not be going as well as he expected. In his December interviews, he said that Blackbird had partnered with a Johannesburg-based aviation company whose planes Airtime would use, but he declined to name it. Later, it emerged that the partner was supposed to be Air Aquarius, but its CEO, Gavin Branson, was quoted as saying last week that the deal had collapsed. That leaves Airtime without aircraft or an operating license.

Earlier negotiations with Nationwide, a South African carrier no longer in business, also broke down, and Mr. Eargambram vowed not to repeat that airline's mistakes.

Airtime's concept, though not entirely new, intrigued industry watchers in South Africa and Britain, where the carrier has received the most media coverage. Airline pricing has become so complex and sometimes illogical that customers have a hard time understanding it. Experts often begin seminars on the subject by pointing out that each passenger on an average flight most likely has paid a different fare.

Air fares have long been based not on distance, but on market demand. That's why, most of the time, prices from Washington to the West Coast are lower than those to Richmond or other Virginia cities, for example. So for Mr. Eargambram to persuade investors that his idea is worth their money is no easy task.

In the United States, the closest a major carrier has come to flat fares is Southwest Airline's pricing structure, but it takes into account market demand as well as other factors. It also has different fares on the same routes based on flexibility, time of purchase and seating.

While Southwest is notorious for sparking "fare wars" in the markets in serves, early predictions that Airtime will do the same in South Africa were quickly dismissed by the country's other carriers. There are still unanswered but important questions about the new airline, and its Web site offers very limited information.

What happens if a flight is canceled? Do a passenger's air minutes go back to his or her account automatically? Are there penalties for making voluntary changes, or can one just hop on another, more convenient flight? Does the rate depend on how much in advance a booking is made?

It's still not clear if Airtime will take off as planned Jan. 25, and industry analysts aren't holding their breath.

"It's an interesting concept in that it flies in the face of traditional airline pricing, which is mostly specific to market demand, not to distance," said Patrick Smith, a pilot and airline expert. "With a taxi-style pricing scheme, an airline runs the danger of pricing itself out of profit on shorter routes with high demand. Thus, I can't see this model being very practical on a large scale."

And on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno...even if it doesn't get going Airtime sure is attracting a lot of attention.

Jay Leno on The Tonight Show, Friday, Jan. 9, 2008:

"Here's an interesting idea. There's a new airline called Airtime Airlines, and they're going to charge you flights by the minute. You pay by the minute. Here's my idea - If you're stuck on the runway for three hours, do you get money back? How does that work? Does the clock go the other way?"

Interesting to see all the coverage, especially as global as it has been...

I think what we need now is a statement from the airline to explain what is going on, so as to reassure people and give some clarity ASAP

They'd better get their shit sorted... we don't need more bad airline press in our country, we've had quite our fair share the last 2 years.

Especially with the soccer tournaments coming up.

It's beyond me as to why they're already taking bookings (if I understood an earlier post correctly).

You know what they say - there is no such thing as bad publicity...

A lack of a startup date, or any 'About Us' info on their website is a bit off putting. 2x Daily to CPT is fair, 3x daily to PLZ (none of which carry on to CPT seemingly) is a bit much, but maybe they know something we don't. All flights still seem to operated with B737-200s so the boss must have another plan in place. Ex-Nationwide B732s maybe?

Have been thinking about the 'appealing to young executives' marketing angle of Airtime. If this is the case, then I can't help but think they should offer 3/4x daily JNB-CPT flights. I know they are based out of DUR but JNB-CPT is the meat and drink domestic route in South Africa and could be a handy money earner on the side sort-of-thing. Just my 2c.

You know what they say - there is no such thing as bad publicity...

A lack of a startup date, or any 'About Us' info on their website is a bit off putting. 2x Daily to CPT is fair, 3x daily to PLZ (none of which carry on to CPT seemingly) is a bit much, but maybe they know something we don't. All flights still seem to operated with B737-200s so the boss must have another plan in place. Ex-Nationwide B732s maybe?

Have been thinking about the 'appealing to young executives' marketing angle of Airtime. If this is the case, then I can't help but think they should offer 3/4x daily JNB-CPT flights. I know they are based out of DUR but JNB-CPT is the meat and drink domestic route in South Africa and could be a handy money earner on the side sort-of-thing. Just my 2c.

Those B732's they didn't manage to get, WERE the ex-Nationwide planes. They were also ex-Comair, and also ex-SAA...

Pieces of crap.

its a huge flop all of it, personally even if they do get up and running i dont think id want to go on ex-nationwide aircraft, my nerves couldnt take it.. hint hint...nudge nudge... engine falling off wing...ah no thanx

^^ Just like I've been saying from the beginning...

I do not see this taking off (pun intended), and if it does, I don't see it lasting long.

I'm all for healthy competition, but please, get your ducks in a row. And if you are planning on starting up an airline, get some planes for fvck's sake.

Things going from bad to worst for them, also with them being so quiet about everything, isnt helping their cause

Yea, the silence is deafening which is a bit of a conern. Interestingly under the season schedule of ACSA's website Airtime's flights are showing (with an AUQ ICAO code which is Air Quarius - hmmm) so they have claerly spoken to ACSA about their flights.

^^ so the plot thickens...cos ACSA were denying hearing of them a few days ago, clearly thats not the case.

But yes we do need a statement from the company to try stave off the total loss of any credibility

Does SA have a new airline?
17 January 2009, 10:39

By Bronwyn Gerretsen

There is mystery and uncertainty surrounding the operations of Airtime Airlines, the new airline that has set up office at Durban International Airport and plans to start flying later this month.

Even the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is confused and unaware of the airline's plans as it does not have an air operator certificate (AOC).

But the airline is already selling tickets.

There is also uncertainty over what aircraft the airline will be using, should it take off.

Airtime announced its intention to begin operations in December, and pinned January 4 as its operating start date. This never materialised and the new date for take off is now January 25.

But this too, will probably not come to fruition as the CAA confirmed that the airline had not even started an application for an operating certificate and the process takes at least 14 days.

Phindiwe Gwebu, spokesperson for CAA, said the company needs to meet a number of conditions before a certificate was issued.

The CAA had to check an airline's financial position to ensure it was sustainable, ensure its flight routes were approved and also inspect the aircraft it was intending to use.

However, even if an airline did not have its own operating licence, it could still operate on another company's and Gwebu said Airtime informed the CAA in December that it intended using the operating licence of Air Aquarius.

The airline has not applied to have this licence modified by the CAA, which it needs to do.

"We are hearing from the media that they are selling tickets and have a date set on which to start flying, but they still have to inform us on who's licence they're operating," she said. "It is confusing to us. We don't know what their plan is."

Gwebu explained that an application could take 14 days and that if the CAA was satisfied, an AOC would be issued. If not, an airline had the option to rectify its failures and re-apply.

When contacted for comment this week Vino Eargambram, the aviation consultant responsible for the airline's commercial operations, would not respond.

Eargambram said only that while the airline was being "discredited" in South Africa, its Pay As You Fly system "and how it would change travel" was gathering interest from "all over the world".

The system itself is also an unusual concept as passengers need to purchase airtime to fly and these minutes can then be redeemed for flights, car rental, accommodation and mobile phone airtime.

For example, to fly from Durban to Johannesburg will cost 75 minutes. The airline will then apply a daily predetermined top-up rate to every minute. If the top-up rate was R6, a one-way ticket from Durban to Johannesburg would cost R450, excluding airport taxes.


This article was originally published on page 2 of The Independent on Saturday on January 17, 2009

^^ Oh dear... Claiming that you are being discredited etc really doesnt fly with me. I really hope they manage to get going and run a successful operation but at the moment the boss has to admit some blame. The CAA haven't heard anything from him, nor have ACSA allegedly, the AirQuarius deal is dead in the water and instead of taking it in the chin he is whining about the media.

Suck it up and sort it out, you are doing your company no favours carrying on like you are.

L-O-S-E-R!!!

450? i thought it was R225!!!

I see they still advertising for fun on ECR

NEW CONCEPT AIRLINE MAKES SECOND LAUNCH ATTEMPT

START-UP carrier Airtime Airlines' management is still determined to get the new concept operation off the ground despite having to postpone the initial launch date.

The airline, which plans to use cellphone airtime as payment for tickets and offer generous commission to travel agents, was initially scheduled to launch on January 18 with three daily return flights between Durban and Johannesburg. However, these plans were scuppered after a deal between Blackbird Aerospace (the company behind Airtime Airlines) and Lanseria-based AirQuarius Aviation fell through.

Airtime Airlines had been banking on leasing three of AirQuarius' Boeing 737 aircraft and operating under AirQuarius' existing licenses, but this deal was called off in late December. The cause of the deal's collapse has not been made public.

Airtime Airlines is now said to be making a second attempt at securing a license from the Air Licensing Council of South Africa (ALC), as well as an Air Operating Certificate from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) - both of which are prerequisites for airlines operating commercial flights in South Africa.

A source close to the airline said its management had a meeting scheduled with the ALC on January 21 and, if the outcome is positive, the airline hopes to commence operations by January 25.

Vino Eargambram, head of Blackbird Aerospace, could not be contacted before going to press to confirm the ALC meeting and new launch date, but an ALC spokesperson confirmed that the board is due to meet this Wednesday and that license applications are on the agenda.

Source: travel industry review

^^ Well I guess thats some positive news. So if you ask the ALC really nicely and bitch and moan enough in the media you can actually get an AOC in less than 4 days. Hmmf. Still no word on where the aircraft are coming from, maybe a short term lease from Safair?

still hope they gona be flying to EL, need to use another plane besides those crappy SAA express ones

^^ Well I guess thats some positive news. So if you ask the ALC really nicely and bitch and moan enough in the media you can actually get an AOC in less than 4 days. Hmmf. Still no word on where the aircraft are coming from, maybe a short term lease from Safair?

interesting indeed...they kept mentioning the 737's were short term until they got their Embraer fleet...would they have ordered these? buying? leasing??

interesting indeed...they kept mentioning the 737's were short term until they got their Embraer fleet...would they have ordered these? buying? leasing??

Haven't heard anything, buying would be massively $$$, so unless they are being bankrolled by someone I would suspect they would lease the Embraers.

Word from a member of the Airline Licensing Council is that they have not produced all the information needed to grant them a licence. So they Airtime is considering using another company's licence (a company that is currently doing charter flights).

i believe there's very little chance of them launching at least for another month.

Oh....and ACSA has already given them space at all major airports

^^ so they have the space, but not the licence...and the aircraft?

According to a source at Avcom, AirQuarius are at the CAA today making amendment to their AOC to start flying for Airtime. If this is true then against all odds they could be flying on Sunday as planned. Lets see.

I wonder how many tickets they've sold

According to a source at Avcom, AirQuarius are at the CAA today making amendment to their AOC to start flying for Airtime. If this is true then against all odds they could be flying on Sunday as planned. Lets see.

hmmm...and the reason for their (AirQuarius) turn of face? they should not have been chirping to the media imo...

right now im taking every word said with a pinch of salt. i wont believe anything until i see the aircraft in the airtime livery

Where on earth do you get an AOC in 4 days?!? that's crazy... even getting your own Operating License through CAA takes a few months - there's so much that needs to be in place - besides only the finance...

What about their flight ops/manuals/maintenance contracts/catering contracts/etc etc...

IF Air AQ is still gonna help them out (or who ever) - sure it might go quicker, but it takes AT LEAST 14 days then...

Too bad they jumped into the media before they even had their business plan completed!!:ohno:

Finally there is a press release explaining the situation on Airtime's website, www.flyairtime.co.za. I would copy and paste it but since the entire website is made with Adobe Flash Player I cant...

Anyways first flight, with AirQuarius' AoC scheduled for 30 January (25th was never going to happen considering they only met with the CAA yesterday), AirQuarius' aircraft will be painted in Airtime Airlines' livery. From what I understand from the press release operators will become members of Airtime Airlines, similar to the AirUnion concept in Russia (which has subsequently gone belly up). All members will use Airtime's unique cellphone booking system and frequent flyer program.

Well it's good news they're going to be up and running.

what aircraft are we looking at here?

Yeah, but not on the 30th as stated in the press release. The Airline Licensing Council still has to allow them to fly using AirQuarius' licence. there are certain guarantees that they must give before they can get a license dn I understand that they are not close to doing so.

^^ well website now states 30th Jan first flight?

what aircraft are we looking at here?

as per previous statements it is B737-200 with plans to move onto new Embraer planes in 6 months...lets see

They've redone their website. Looks smarter but still not really like an airline site. They need to start selling tickets online!
The site still says Joburg flights start on 30 Jan. PE starts on 16 Feb and CT on 1 March.

much nicer website now. but i still agree that they need to offer an online booking facility too

Oh thanks goodness. That's much better than the old one, but it still doesn't work as an airline website. It's too constricting.

Seriously all they need to do is remove the black background and replace it with a nice cloudy blue sky.

New site is much better but I do agree with the comments re selling tickets/airtime online. An EFT is a fag compared to click click credit card no. I see that the 'orginal' red, white and black branding persists under the schedule section, so I would imagine a livery along those lines.

Oh thanks goodness. That's much better than the old one, but it still doesn't work as an airline website. It's too constricting.

Seriously all they need to do is remove the black background and replace it with a nice cloudy blue sky.

i love the black...blue clouds?? hmmm me thinks a tiny bit tacky?

The only things the site is missing now is online booking (which should be a no brainer and is vital to success IMO) and maybe some travel offer/ hints??

i love the black...blue clouds?? hmmm me thinks a tiny bit tacky?

The only things the site is missing now is online booking (which should be a no brainer and is vital to success IMO) and maybe some travel offer/ hints??

Whilst it may be tacky, I'd much rather have blue clouds or something of the sort as a background than the current background. There's almost nothing other than text and possibly a tiny picture if the randomiser is on your side to show that you're visiting an airline's website.

Website designers are encouraged not to use black backgrounds as it's harder on the eyes and the contrasts make it harder for dyslexic people to read text :nuts: Some study proved that people read (I think it was 26%) more accurately having dark text on a light background than vice versa.

I'm very very picky :lol:

but black backgrounds save power :P

my eyes > saved power hehe

Yeah true true. BUt I find stark white as bad actually any strong hue is painful really I prefer muted backgrounds with strong text.

White doesn't bother me at all...I've had years of reading stuff written on paper as practice xD

^^ reading white on paper is very different from pc screens. The white light is strong and dangerous if the eye exposure is of a long duration. darker hues on screen are better for your eyes. White on black is however also not too good for your eyes

^^ reading white on paper is very different from pc screens. The white light is strong and dangerous if the eye exposure is of a long duration. darker hues on screen are better for your eyes. White on black is however also not too good for your eyes

The paper part was a joke ;)

But as I said, dark backgrounds with light text are bad for one's eyes.

that chick with the red top and glasses aint that bad

R1200 for a return flight to joburg...thats more expensive than any other LCC, for an extra R200 odd rand you can fly SAA

Finally there is a press release explaining the situation on Airtime's website, www.flyairtime.co.za. I would copy and paste it but since the entire website is made with Adobe Flash Player I cant...

Anyways first flight, with AirQuarius' AoC scheduled for 30 January (25th was never going to happen considering they only met with the CAA yesterday), AirQuarius' aircraft will be painted in Airtime Airlines' livery. From what I understand from the press release operators will become members of Airtime Airlines, similar to the AirUnion concept in Russia (which has subsequently gone belly up). All members will use Airtime's unique cellphone booking system and frequent flyer program.

Here guys - Pls someone try to paste their press release here... I can't get it from the site either... It would be interesting to see what they say...
interesting airtimes hey... & and yeh the site does look better...
they seem to be upgrading all the time... hopefully things on all fronts... get 'Better and Better' ...

these guys seem to be a determined bunch - it can only mean good things if it they rocket into action and if they change the face of the airline industry in SA and Africa... it would not only be good for Durbs...

read another report in hard company in some airline investment mag today that they have firm plans for regional flights from durban, specific mention of Windhoek, Livingstone and Nairobi

Unfortunately the press release has vanished since the latest upgrade to the site. Re: the regional flights lets hope they materialise, that would increase DUR's int'l traffic by a couple of thousand percent!

Interesting article from the Financial Mail on Airtime:

Diamonds & Dogs
By Jamie Carr

"What ho," thought I, trolling a newspaper skimpier than a fat German's bikini for titbits and nuggets pertaining to anything other than drink driving statistics and amusing sand sculptures. "Surely this cannot be, surely this is some sort of foolishly early April Fool." To launch an airline into an overcrowded market littered with the corpses of those who have gone before is bold enough at the best of times, but right now it truly deserves a gold Charge of the Light Brigade medal.

Especially since the eternal optimists at Airtime Airlines appear to be charging ahead without minor fripperies such as aeroplanes or an operating licence that more traditional operations regard as a reasonably integral part of their offering. But what Airtime has is the unique concept of buying your tickets with iFly airtime, which you can either use to buy a ticket or convert into a cellphone airtime top-up voucher.

So instead of the outmoded model of using money to buy a ticket, you use your old-fashioned money to buy airtime, which can either buy a ticket or phone time - wondrous indeed are the ways of the modern world, and anybody who thinks this is utterly barking just doesn't get it.

Source: http://free.financialmail.co.za/09/0116/moneyinvest/zmoney.htm

Unfortunately the press release has vanished since the latest upgrade to the site. Re: the regional flights lets hope they materialise, that would increase DUR's int'l traffic by a couple of thousand percent!

Well Emirates will definately have that effect when they start on 1 Oct

Oh dear, the proverbial seems to have hit the fan with the Dept of Transport claiming that Airtime do not have a domestic license with which to begin ops tomorrow. Airtime have put a scathing/sarcastic press release on their website (again cannot copy and paste since it is a flash website and I am not bored enough to type it all out) placing blame at the Air Service Licensing Council and accusing them of incompetence. All in all tomorrow's launch will probably be delayed. Again.

any livery pics

all over the radio this morning, with them warning people not to buy tickets from them, but ECR interviewed the main dude, he said Airtime is just the marketing company, the airline they using is AirQuarius and they already have a liscence? so will there be a flight tomorrow or not?

From ECR Newswatch (they seem to be the only people with a statement from Airtime):

On the eve of the launch of a new domestic airline, the Air Services Licensing Council has warned the company’s fleet is not yet licensed to take to the skies.

It says Airtime Airlines is therefore not legally allowed to fly between Durban and Jo’burg.

The airline had been due to launch flights along this route from Friday.

The Council falls under the National Transport department, and spokesperson Hilgard Matthews says it’s now investigating the affairs of the airline.

“They have not submitted an application for a license to operate in South Africa and the Licensing Council can confirm that its not received any documentation from this said company.”

Airtime Airlines operations head Vino Eargambram meanwhile says its flights are operated by Airquarius - which is licensed to operate.

He says the problem is a mere technicality, adding that they have all their paperwork in order.

“Flights will commence on the 30th of January and this will be operated by Airquarius as Airquarius.”

So ops will begin tomorrow. I am so confused.

Again from ECR Newswatch:

Airtime Airlines is ready for take off. All passengers who’ve booked flights through the new company will be able to fly today.

There’s been much confusion surrounding Airtime Airlines. On Wednesday, the Transport Department’s Air Licensing Council warned passengers that it wasn’t licensed to fly in South Africa.

But Airtime Airlines says the name is its trading name, adding that passengers will fly with a licensed airline that its partnered with.

Initially this was AirQuarius but the partnership’s since ended. Now Airtime’s Vino Eargambram says they’ve sealed a deal with Interlink, and so it’s all systems go.

“Passengers are booking really using the Airtime Airlines system and regardless of which airline is affiliated to the system they can book on any airline, so now it’s now Interlink airline will be doing the flights. And the flight will operate from Johannesburg to Durban departing at 17:30pm in Jo’burg and the flight departing out of Durban will leave at 19:10pm.”

The soap opera continues.

Johannesburg to Durban departing at 17:30pm in Jo’burg and the flight departing out of Durban will leave at 19:10pm.”

That is the normal scheduled times for the Interlink flight!!!
BUT, Interlink has cancelled their flights to both CPT and DUR since middle of this month for the two weeks up till next Friday when they will resume their own flights...because their single 737 left had to undergo maintanence...
Something strange!

this whole thing is getting more and more daft by the day from all parties

This is such a fvking joke!

And what is with that website??!! It is so daft...

I really hope these guys save themselves the embarresment and just call it quits.

What on earth? They're getting ridiculous now.

so did they take off?

Their name is kinda ironic in this whole situation.

so did they take off?

from the sounds of it if they did it was in an interlink plane. i am so confused i really dont know what is going on. for building a rep them and the licensing people are both not doing themselves favours because they both look like idiot amateurs

From TIR (http://www.tir.co.za/enews/index.php?option=com_newsletter&task=view&articleId=1493):

AIRTIME AIRLINES ABORTS SECOND LAUNCH ATTEMPT

START-Up carrier Airtime Airlines was forced to abandon its second launch attempt last Friday due to regulatory and licensing glitches.

TIR confirmed that the airline had been given the green light from the Civil Aviation Authority to commence flights between Durban and Johannesburg on January 30 and that it has agreements in place with ACSA to operate out of Durban International and O.R Tambo International.

Nevertheless, the start-up carrier's launch fell through after it failed to get the go ahead from the Air Licensing Council (ALC) of South Africa in time for its take-off.

What went wrong?

Airtime Airlines had planned to operate under a commercial agreement with Lanseria-based AirQuarius Aviation. Under the agreement, AirQuarius would operate the flights with its own Boeing 737-200 aircraft using the company's existing ALC and CAA licenses, but flights would be operated under the trade name of Airtime Airlines and sold under its new concept "Pay as you Fly" airline revenue and yield management system.

The ALC, however, quashed these plans when it ruled that AirQuarius and Blackbird Aerospace - the company behind Airtime Airlines - had not fulfilled the necessary regulatory processes to enable the joint venture operation to get off the ground.

At an ALC meeting on January 21, the ALC board ruled that it needed more details on the commercial agreement between AirQuarius and Blackbird Aerospace before it could decide whether or not to give approval for AirQuarius to use its existing ALC license to operate flights under the trade name of Airtime Airlines.

"When AirQuarius appeared before the ALC, council took the position that if AirQuarius is to embark on any form of name change or any form of partnership or joint venture, the ALC needs to be afforded documentation for such changes, which includes documents to clarify important issues such as public liability, consumer protection, financials, operational management and maintenance," explained ALC Chairman Ahmed Bassa.

"The ALC wants to support the launch of every new airline, but it is our duty to protect passengers and, before we allow any joint operation like this to go ahead, we need to be clear on who will be liable should the airline fail and what level of protection consumers have," he added.

ALC Deputy Director for Licensing and Permits, Andries Ntjane, said AirQuarius and Blackbird Aerospace would have to submit these documents to the council 10 days before its next board meeting on February 18 and, if all proves satisfactory, the ALC would then decide whether to allow the joint venture to operate under AirQuarius' existing license.

A new way forward?

However, Blackbird Aerospace head, Vino Eargambram, told TIR he does not intend to take this route, as it may not be viable.

"Even if we do submit these documents, there is a chance that the ALC will still not allow us to operate as we would like to," he explained.

Rather, he said, plans are being revised and he is now "negotiating a new contract" which does not involve AirQuarius or using the aviation company's license.

"We may apply for our own license, but that has not yet been decided," he said. "The main thing is that we need to have a license that allows us to operate under the trade name Airtime Airlines, which is crucial to our 'Pay as you Fly' concept."

On the cancellation of his second launch attempt, Mr. Eargambram said he was obviously disappointed, but stressed that he still had every intention of getting the new concept airline off the ground. "We would, of course, have preferred not to cancel, but this is preferable to starting without everything running smoothly."

He said approximately 40 passengers, who had been booked on the launch flight, had been rebooked on various airlines, while all other passengers would either be rebooked or refunded in full.

For me the only way forward would be for Airtime to apply for thier own AOC/license. I cant help but think if they had done that back in early Dec they would have saved a lot of face and trouble. Anyway everything seems to be on hold until 18 Feb.

Going public before they had the necessary tools to actually get their passengers up in the sky was a serious mistake.

from the sounds of it if they did it was in an interlink plane. i am so confused i really dont know what is going on. for building a rep them and the licensing people are both not doing themselves favours because they both look like idiot amateurs


I think the licensing people were merely doing their job. launching an airline is not an overnight thing I imagine. Safety / state of aircraft, liability issues, maintenance of aircraft, etc must be assessed and it seems like Airtime dont have the documentation for the council to look at. For them to criticise the council as they did in thjat press release is foolish if you ask me. I hope it does not caome back to bite them as iwould love to see a new airline. even moreso if it is to be based in DBN.

I think the licensing people were merely doing their job. launching an airline is not an overnight thing I imagine. Safety / state of aircraft, liability issues, maintenance of aircraft, etc must be assessed and it seems like Airtime dont have the documentation for the council to look at. For them to criticise the council as they did in thjat press release is foolish if you ask me. I hope it does not caome back to bite them as iwould love to see a new airline. even moreso if it is to be based in DBN.

I agree with you 100%, lets hope they get organised.

Damn, I thought these guys would have had their shit together, esp seeing that its headed by an experienced piolit, he of all people should know about these things.

The latest installment of this saga is that Airtime will apply for their own license from the ALSC this week according to ECR. The next ALSC meeting is on the 18th of Feb so they will find out then if their application has been successful or not. If they had done this originally in early Dec they would have been flying already.

So launch, dont fly and then say you will change your brand image and logo?? sounds a joke. and lets be frank, they definately had no one with any marketing savvy working on this cos they fail at every marketing hurdle so far

'We just want them to stop piggybacking'

February 06 2009 at 11:31AM


By Zohra Mohamed Teke

National carrier 1time Airlines has gone to the high court in a bid to get newly formed Airtime Airlines to drop the use of the word "time" in its name and to change its colours.

1time Airlines CEO Rodney James says Airtime Airlines is confusing the public by using 1time's tail colour (red), use of the word "time", and the font of its lettering.

"We just want them to stop piggybacking on our company's reputation and branding, that's all.

"We spend a lot of money on marketing and it isn't fair for another company to mislead the public using our branding," he said.

His airline did not have the normal recourse of objection because Airtime did not hold a licence to operate, he said.

The legal move comes after Airport Company South Africa (Acsa) this week ordered the Durban-based Airtime Airlines to shut down its airport offices after it emerged that it was selling flights without a licence or aircraft to carry passengers.

Airtime CEO Koomaresen Eargambram, who was SA's first black military pilot 20 years ago, says his lawyers are looking into 1time's legal challenge. He said he would consider rebranding and a name change to avoid a lengthy legal dispute.

Acsa is now said to be reviewing its requirements for companies trading at the airport, after being criticised for allowing Airtime to operate without a licence.

Air Service Licensing Council chair Ahmed Bassa has called Acsa's actions irresponsible. "Although Acsa may grant space to any company, it is somewhat unethical to offer prime front desk space to a company which calls itself an airline but is not one - and does not have the relevant licence. It creates the wrong public perception and this needs to change," he said.

Acsa spokesperson, Colin Naidoo, who initially defended the presence of the airline at the airport saying that it had met all Acsa requirements to operate, now admits that Airtime Airlines was asked to leave because it did not in fact have a licence to operate.

The aviation newcomer entered the market a few months ago with its novel way of selling airtime minutes in exchange for flights.

Airtimes was forced to accommodate its first 90 passengers onto other carriers, before being asked to stop operating.

The deal Airtime said it had with another carrier, Airquarius, had fallen through.




This article was originally published on page 1 of Daily News on February 06, 2009

Will new airline ever get off the ground?
Tania Broughton
February 13 2009 at 06:37AM

Should it ever get off the ground, wannabe airline Airtime Airways will have to rethink its name and corporate identity after rival company 1time Airlines secured a "trademark" interdict against it.

According to a written agreement, which was made an order of court by Durban Judge Ron McLaren on Thursday, Airtime will no longer be able to use its name, its "ifly Airtime" logo or the colour red and the word "time" in any of its products or services.

It was also interdicted from "misrepresenting its products services and business" to being those of 1time.

1time approached the court last week, complaining that Airtime's trademark and marketing bore a "deliberate and obvious resemblance" to its own.

In an affidavit, 1time director Rodney James said the issue had created confusion. His company had been operating since February 2004 and now operated on seven local routes with between 30 and 37 flights a day. He said the company had secured the trademarks for "1time" and "fly 1time" in 2003.

Airtime had intended to operate from January 30 this year and had sold tickets in anticipation. But the Air Service Licence Council had refused to issue it a licence, apparently because it objected to the trading name.

Airtime was ordered to pay the costs of the application.


This article was originally published on page 2 of The Star on February 13, 2009


http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=15&art_id=vn20090213023321684C670944

:doh:

i get most of those points, but how can they claim to own the colour red? or time?

i get most of those points, but how can they claim to own the colour red? or time?

This is in the small context of the SA budget airline industry. Less than 5 players. You can't have 2 being similar enough to cause confusion amongst consumers. That's half the industry alone.

yes but u cant own a colour

So these guys dead?

wld not say dead, would say back to the drawing board as they have a lot of gapping holes now to fill..ie where planes from? license?

Guess what - Airtime have new branding and a new website :bash:.

www.flyairtime.co.za

SAA seems to be involved (they are the only airline with a link on the page) although I haven't heard anything official from them (SAA). In a similar manner AirQuarius and Interlink were mentioned by Airtime without them acknowledging the partnership. I wish them all the best, but I am sceptical. Again.

As commendable as their "never say die" attitude may be, I'd be extremely wary of them given their last attempt.

EDIT: Their new website is more hideous than the last one! :down:

Why do they have a link to SAA on their page? I thought the idea was NOT to help the competition! :-P

Why do they have a link to SAA on their page? I thought the idea was NOT to help the competition! :-P


lol very weird man.

Wow, that website isn't too easy on the eyes, is it?

OMG WTF is up with that website?

damn, Ive seen porn websites that look better!

they have a very confused brand image...me thinks they have not even thought of consulting a proper agency but left it to one of their accountants to do

yellow and black? It hurts the eyes... my eyes, my eyes...

gosh ...looks like the website has changed yet again, weird that they have pictures of SAA aircraft under one of the booking options? looks like they going for a black livery now since 1time have the rights to the colour "red"...very weird

They're so confused.

So, any further news on these guys?

Yeah...what happened to them?

The company is still around and listed, but they have gone very very silent

shame...maybe they are waiting for KSIA... this had so much promise

It did, but ineffective leadership

So true

Another blow for Airtime

AIRTIME Airlines has reached yet another hurdle in the road after the High Court of South Africa decided in favour of 1time Airlines which disputed the use of ‘time’ in Airtime’s name, as well as the colours and font used in its logo.


The court ordered that:
• Airtime shall not use the company name ‘Airtime Airlines’ as a trademark
• The carrier is interdicted from using the word ‘i-fly Airtime’ in relation to its services and business, including the advertising and marketing of its products and/or services.
• The carrier is interdicted from passing off its products, services or business as being that of 1time, by using the colour red and/or the word time, otherwise than in its ordinary descriptive sense, without distinguishing its products, services or business from 1time
• Airtime is also interdicted from misrepresenting its products, services and/or business to be that of 1time, or associated in the course of trade with 1time.

http://www.gauteng.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=791&Itemid=1

These okes put the -ish in amateurish.

how the fuck can you stop an airline from using the color red...fucking joke if you ask me

^^ I think the objectionable action isn't the use of red per se, otherwise BA will have to scrub some paint off their planes. But the use of red in conjunction with the word time, leading to possible confusion by would-be customers who might think they'll be traveling with 1time when in fact they'll be traveling with a bunch of folks who are in way over their heads. :ohno:

Still, as this news snippet is written, you're absolutely right that it looks as if a court ordered the airline not to use the colour red.

why dont they get certain franchisers to sponsor plane schemes, like 1 time did with Nandos a while back.