Leisure, trade and investment between South Africa and Germany is increasing, creating opportunities for German independent carrier, Condor, to expand its services between the two countries.
This was highlighted during the official launch of Condor’s inaugural Johannesburg to Frankfurt flight, which starts on November 5. “We believe we can expand in South Africa and we look forward to working with you, the travel trade, to make this a reality,” said Carsten Sasse, Head of Sales: Global Accounts and Overseas Markets for Condor.
The route will supplement Condor's seasonal Cape Town flights during the Northern hemisphere winter season, and while initially also seasonal, it could become permanent should there be demand.
“I am confident there will be, as there are so many ties between South Africa and Germany.”
Actively wooing SA trade
Sasse told Travel News during an exclusive pre-launch interview that Condor’s team was actively wooing the outbound trade to grow the airline’s share of South African travellers.
“We came to South Africa from Germany, not only for the launch, but to meet key trade partners and forge a closer working relationship with them,” said Sasse, adding that AVIAREPS South Africa, the carrier’s local GSA, would further that relationship on the ground in partnership with Condor.
“AVIAREPS is our trusted partner in more than 20 markets,” said Sasse.
He noted that Condor offered “several commercial tools” to its special partners to help them sell the airline, including nett fares and commissions.
“We also believe we offer the best value for money on routes,” added Sasse, highlighting that initial fares on the Johannesburg to Frankfurt route would start from US$249 (R4 379) in economy class, US$549 (R9 662) for premium economy and US$1 899 (R33 422) for business class.
He said the new route was already fully booked for its first week and advised agents to encourage their clients to book early to get the best rates.
300 European destinations
Sasse emphasised that, due to interline agreements with over 30 airlines, Condor offered SA travellers connections to more than 300 destinations in Europe. “It is important to note that we are not just a point-to-point carrier,” he said.
The airline has also signed interline agreements locally with FlySafair and Airlink for local and regional flights connecting to several destinations in Southern Africa and locally, including Durban and Port Elizabeth.
According to Sasse, Condor is also promoting the concept of ‘fly and rail’ – especially to budget-conscious travellers – to travel on to other destinations in Germany.
“There is a train station right inside Frankfurt airport and ticket prices for rail are much more affordable, and quicker, in some cases than catching a flight to another destination,” he explained.
New aircraft
Condor has signed an agreement to purchase 16 new Airbus A330neo aircraft to be deployed on the South African routes. These will also be rebranded with the new livery.
“Thanks to state-of-the-art technology and maximum efficiency, the latest-generation ‘2-litre’ aircraft is the European front-runner, with 2,1 litres (of fuel consumed) per passenger per 100 kilometres and the highest level of customer comfort,” said Sasse. This is well below the industry average, according to Condor.
