CEMAIR will retain the routes
and increased frequencies,
that it implemented when
SA Express was grounded,
regardless of SAX’s planned
return, says Miles van der
Molen, ceo of CemAir.
On May 24, when SA
Express was grounded
by the South African Civil
Aviation Authority for
“serious non-compliance”,
CemAir announced an
increase in capacity
between Johannesburg
and Bloemfontein and
began operating a direct
service between Cape Town
and Hoedspruit (which
was previously serviced
via Johannesburg). A few
days later, the airline
launched flights between
Johannesburg and Kimberley,
and on May 29 between
Johannesburg and Richards
Bay.
Miles told TNW that the
airline would also still
pursue the possibility of
launching a Cape Town-East
London service. “I don’t
believe that SA Express has
truly addressed its structural
challenges, which involve
solvency and cash issues.
As a result, I am sure it
will need to rationalise its
routes to remain viable. The
unstable market conditions
will make it possible for
other airlines to absorb
market share.
