African Pilot Aviation News 45 2014 • Monday 10 November 2014 “The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter.” Sir Winston Churchill African Pilot’s December 2014 edition The December edition will feature the Gauteng regional airports: Springs, Brakpan / Benoni and Krugersdorp as well as a few surprise regional airports. In addition, we will be reporting on the annual Aero Club of South Africa awards. I understand that this will be the first time that an aviation magazine will be covering these regional airports. Although the closing date for the December edition was last Friday 7 November, we still have a few positions available for late advertisers, but we must have your material by close of business on Monday 10 November because this edition goes to the printers on Tuesday. Aero Club of South Africa annual awards dinner held at AFB Swartkops This year the annual awards ceremony were held at the SAAF Museum, Air Force Base Swartkops, which is appropriate since this is one of the oldest air force bases in the world and also South Africa’s most important aviation museum. The African Pilot airshow of the year award went to the Durban Land Sea and Air Extravaganza held in March. Second place was awarded to the Baywest Mall sponsored Port Elizabeth airshow in aid of the MTR Smit Children’s Home and third place was awarded to the SAAF Museum’s Swartkops airshow. Dr Clive Coetzee (finance KZN province) accepted the trophy on behalf of the province and the main organisers; Nigel Hopkins and Brian Emmenis joined him on the stage to speak about the wonderful two-day spectacle this event created for more than 200 000 people on the Durban beach front. A full report with pictures of the recipients will be featured in the December edition of African Pilot. FlySafair announces a second base and new routes It has been nothing but full speed ahead for South Africas first true low cost airline, FlySafair in recent weeks. The first flights launched were in mid-October between Cape Town and Johannesburg from just R499 (including taxes), followed swiftly by the launch of the Cape Town to Port Elizabeth route from R399 last week. The Cape Town to George route follows next week on 13 November with equally tempting fares starting at R399. From 3 December, FlySafair will launch their second base at Johannesburg O.R. Tambo airport, allowing passengers to fly from Johannesburg to George and Port Elizabeth, from as little as R499 one way. Although a new entrant into the commercial market, the airline is backed by nearly 50 years of aviation experience from holding company, Safair. Furthermore, FlySafair has established itself as SA’s first true low cost carrier in that they allow passengers to tailor their own tickets. Based on international best practices, the airline offers passengers a base fare which secures them a seat to their destination, along with two carry-on items weighing no more than 7kgs. Any additional checked-in luggage, along with the option to pre-select preferential seats or extra-space seats such as those in the front rows or at emergency exits as well as on-board catering, will be charged for according to passengers’ specific needs. For more information on FlySafair or to simply book your ticket, visit flysafair.co.za Statement by the Chairperson of South African Airways, Ms. Dudu Myeni The SAA Board has resolved, in consultation with the Shareholder, to appoint Mr. Nico Bezuidenhout as Acting SAA Chief Executive Officer, during the absence from the Company of Mr. Monwabisi Kalawe. Editor comments: When will the board of SAA and its shareholder the South African government understand that by appointing individuals that have no idea about running an airline will keep making significant losses for the airline? The problem with the constant ‘bail-outs’ of the national carrier are that the government is stealing money from the poor – the very people that voted them into power. This money should be better used in education, clinics, infrastructure and development for the poorest of South Africa’s citizens so as to bring up the level of the overall society in our country. People who travel on the state subsidized airline are already middle to upper class and these are the very people the state is subsidising. When one compares Comair as an airline against SAA the figures are startling: SAA has about 14 000 employees and 53 aircraft which means that there are 264 employees per aircraft. In stark contrast Comair has about 2 000 employees for 26 aircraft which translates into 77 people per aircraft. It is not hard to figure out that SAA will always run at a loss when so many people are drawing salaries, whilst they are not performing as they would in a privately owned business. Aviation humour The lawyer says: “I have some good news and bad news” The airline pilot replies: “I have had an awful day, let’s hear the good news first.” The lawyer says: “Your wife invested $20,000 in five pictures that are worth a minimum of $2 million ...” The Pilot replies enthusiastically: “Well done, very good news indeed! You’ve made my day; now what’s the bad news?” The lawyer answers: “The pictures are of you in bed with an air hostess...” Weekly News from African Pilot Should you happen to miss out on any edition of African Pilot’s weekly aviation news briefs, please visit the website: africanpilot.co.za and click on the Aviation News link on the front page. All past weekly African Pilot Aviation News briefs are archived on the website. Until next week, please be ‘Serious about flying’. Athol Franz (Editor) African Pilot ‘Serious about flying’.
Posted on: Mon, 10 Nov 2014 12:13:00 +0000
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