Cheapest Flights
South Africa now has a booming ‘economy’ in terms of the number of domestic (and international) flight operations serving the country. Nevertheless, it was not until 2006 before the country saw its’ first dedicated low-cost airline – namely Mango Airlines – which is owned by the largest airline in South Africa – South African Airways. This brought about the cheapest flights seen in many years. In turn, South African Airways is fully government owned.
Since 2006, the number of low-cost flights offered domestically has grown substantially. Many ‘no-frills’ flights are also offered by the larger carriers, including South African Airways and also Comair, which leases its’ fleet from British Airways.
Here we look at the companies that offer the cheapest domestic flights within South Africa.
Cheapest Flights
Mango Airlines
Mango Airlines SOC Ltd, or Mango as it’s commonly known, is a state-owned low-cost airline serving the domestic market within South Africa. The airline was established in the year 2006, and operates as a subsidiary of the largest South African airline – South African Airways. Its’ main base, or hub, is at O.R. Tambo International Airport, just outside of Johannesburg.
As with every airline these days, Mango offer online booking facilities. Flights travel daily between Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth, Johannesburg and Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban, Johannesburg to Bloemfontein, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town, Durban and Cape Town, Bloemfontein to Cape Town, and Cape Town to Lanseria.
They operate a buy-on-board policy with respect to meals, snacks and refreshments.
Kulala Airlines
Kulala, which literally means “it’s easy” and is taken from the Zulu and Xhosa languages, is a low-cost airline which has its’ base at O.R Tambo International Airport and also at Lanseria International Airport, both of which are situated just outside Johannesburg.
Kulala Airlines, otherwise known as Kulala.com, services domestic and international flight routes. Within South Africa, they fly to the following cities:
- Cape Town – Cape Town International Airport Focus city
- Durban – King Shaka International Airport Focus city
- George – George Airport
- East London – East London Airport
South African Airways
South African Airways (SAA) represents the largest South African airline, and is also the national flag carrier for the country. SAA are based at O.R. Tambo International Airport, located just outside the city of Johannesburg. The airline fly to some 38 destinations with their fleet of 54 aircraft.
British Airways and Comair
British Airways, the largest airline operating in the UK, also service the domestic flight scene within South Africa. In 1996, they came to a franchising agreement with Comair (the owners of Kulala), and since then, have partnered together – Comair lease aircraft from British Airways – to service the South African domestic flight market.
They do also fly to international destinations, but with respect to South Africa, British Airways/ Comair operate the following flight routes:
- Cape Town – Cape Town International Airport Focus City
- Johannesburg – O.R. Tambo International Airport Hub
- Durban – King Shaka International Airport Focus City
- Port Elizabeth – Port Elizabeth Airport
