FLY Blue Crane officially
launched flights on
September 1, operating to
“underserved” routes in South
Africa from Johannesburg.
The airline, which is headed
up by ex-SAA executives Siza
Mzimela, Theunis Potgieter
and Jerome Simelane, first
announced plans to launch
flights in May last year.
It aims to provide a high
frequency “hybrid” service
geared to the business
market. “We’re not an LCC
or a full-service carrier,”
says chief operating officer,
Theunis Potgieter, “we are a
hybrid airline that will offer
quality products but at a more
competitive price.”
Gm of Commerical, Jerome
Simelane, highlights Fly Blue
Crane’s commitment to the
trade, saying the airline will
offer upfront commission
structures. It will also offer
an agency portal that enables
agents to complete tasks
such as filing private fares and
managing refund processes
and commission reports.
A dedicated travel desk for
agents has also been put in
place.
Initially, three domestic
routes will be on offer. Based
in Johannesburg, the airline
will fly to Bloemfontein,
Kimberley and Nelspruit. Plans
are to expand quickly, adding
new domestic routes as well
as focusing on regional routes,
says Theunis.
Flights will be operated
by two 50-seater ERJ145s.
The Bloemfontein route will
operate return flights five
times daily on weekdays, twice
on Saturdays and three times
on Sundays. Kimberley will be
serviced three times daily on
weekdays, once on Saturday
and twice on Sunday. The
Nelspruit route will operate
return flights twice daily
on weekdays and once on
Saturdays and Sundays.
