SAFAIR TO JOIN LOW COST MARKET?

[Skywalker001]

What I don't understand is that Safair supposedly owns the 5 B737-844's originally used by SAA (ZS-SJR-->SJV).

Why did they then lease two of these aircraft to the competitor Mango when SAA returned them recently (upon delivery of the latter's A320's)? They could rather have used these two aircraft for their own LCC instead of sourcing two additional B737-400's?

Perhaps there's more to it?

It's more lucrative for Safair to lease the ever-valuable and in demand B738's to the competition, SAA/Mango. They're opting to operate (presumably leased) classics which devinehover so eloquently calls "crappy old aeroplanes with poor nav performance" because they're still profit-generating airliners but at a fraction of the acquisition/lease cost. The catch is that they're marginally slower and they get in the way of sky-gods flying their fancy RNAV approaches in their brand spanking new aeroplanes.

[RCM]

More crappy old aeroplanes with poor nav performance to get in our way. The AOC shouldn't be issued unless the aircraft can perform RNAV 1 SID/STAR procedures. I hope these 737's have a GPS feed into the FMC unlike some other older versions flying around.

If you can't afford a B737-700/800 or a A319/320 you probably shouldn't get started in the first place.

I don't necessarily agree, does't SAA fly B737-400's as freighters.....?

As FREIGHTERS, thats a whole different kettle of fish...

Freighters makes no difference, they fly in the same airspace as the rest of us. I don't care who I following down the ILS....
As somebody else mentioned, Comair still happily operate -400's.

Best of luck to them.

[Andrew Smit]

More crappy old aeroplanes with poor nav performance to get in our way. The AOC shouldn't be issued unless the aircraft can perform RNAV 1 SID/STAR procedures. I hope these 737's have a GPS feed into the FMC unlike some other older versions flying around.

If you can't afford a B737-700/800 or a A319/320 you probably shouldn't get started in the first place.

Are you serious?

Africa ain't for sissies dude... If you are only prepared to share the sky with RNAV approved aeries... emigrate to the continent further North.

Things are changing fast my friend. I suspect you are going to caught napping in this regard. The entire African continent is busy gearing up (I'm involved) for PBN Ops

[trees]

Freighters makes no difference, they fly in the same airspace as the rest of us. I don't care who I following down the ILS....
As somebody else mentioned, Comair still happily operate -400's.

...which is why they are replacing them with -800s?

[RCM]

Freighters makes no difference, they fly in the same airspace as the rest of us. I don't care who I following down the ILS....
As somebody else mentioned, Comair still happily operate -400's.

...which is why they are replacing them with -800s?

Eventually yes, for fuel burn considerations. I don't believe it's for navigation requirements.

[mn833]

More crappy old aeroplanes with poor nav performance to get in our way. The AOC shouldn't be issued unless the aircraft can perform RNAV 1 SID/STAR procedures. I hope these 737's have a GPS feed into the FMC unlike some other older versions flying around.

If you can't afford a B737-700/800 or a A319/320 you probably shouldn't get started in the first place.

Not really on topic, I know, but just as a thought: Some of the most successful airlines in the world still operate the "old" 737's such as Lufthansa (-300) and BA (-400), and they do so in some of the most congested airspace.

[solo]

If this is to become a topic of Nav capability we should consider that there are a huge number of Caravans, PC12's, King Air's, 1900's and even several light pistons flying in and out of Jhb Cpt and Dbn... And you're worries about a 737-400...

Really???

SA have enough Nav aids to fly without a $186 000 GPS input to the FMC... As long as you are within the Required Nav Performance.

GOOD LUCK Safair...
Beautiful planes and with almost 50 years experience behind the company... Gonna be awesome!!!!

[ARM505]

I'll happily fly some newer, less crappy aeroplanes if somebody buys them for me.....like, say, the taxpayers of SA?

Must.....resist.....chirping....!

[RCM]

If this is to become a topic of Nav capability we should consider that there are a huge number of Caravans, PC12's, King Air's, 1900's and even several light pistons flying in and out of Jhb Cpt and Dbn... And you're worries about a 737-400...

Really???

SA have enough Nav aids to fly without a $186 000 GPS input to the FMC... As long as you are within the Required Nav Performance.

GOOD LUCK Safair...
Beautiful planes and with almost 50 years experience behind the company... Gonna be awesome!!!!

Precisely,

[CLFO]

Re: SA to get new low cost carrier

Postby CALCULATOR » Tue Aug 27, 2013 6:55 pm

Good luck to Safair-well done, its high time the man in the street had some more choice. Comair-you have spent a fortune on trying to stop ever other company from starting-shame Mr Venter i see your lawyers let you down? Go for it Safair -bring competition in the market place back -hell even if you on time 50% of the time you will still beat KULULAS on time record!!

http://www.bdlive.co.za/business/transp ... rs-licence

Never fear CALCULATOR, your post was obviously taken to heart by Comairs legal team.

Where are all the "we only fly Comair" types at the moment, I wonder? We all like a bit of competition, surely. I suppose Comair doesn't want any of its little leather sandles getting trampled.

[80knots]

catch is that they're marginally slower and they get in the way of sky-gods.......

Heard Comair 130 (I think) doing M. 79 to beat the A340 the other night. I guess Comair must be the sky gods.!

[CALCULATOR]

It is clear that based on the efforts Comair is willing to go to stop : FAST JET, FLY SAFAIR and im sure Skywise, it is clear that they are making a killing at the moment and there shareholders are putting on a few kilos every day.
Good luck SAFAIR -give them hell.

[FED AIR/ GREY BIRD]

Oh by the the way dont write off FAST JET that easily???Whatch this space??
That should have the lawyers in business for a few more months as well.!!!

[JCO7]

More crappy old aeroplanes with poor nav performance to get in our way. The AOC shouldn't be issued unless the aircraft can perform RNAV 1 SID/STAR procedures. I hope these 737's have a GPS feed into the FMC unlike some other older versions flying around.

If you can't afford a B737-700/800 or a A319/320 you probably shouldn't get started in the first place.

At Comair our -400s are capable of RNP 0.5 using IRS without GPS. They can (and we do) fly RNAV SID's and STAR's. They are just not capable of RNAV approaches, but how many RNAV approaches do we fly in SA anyway?

[Skywalker001]

Oh by the the way dont write off FAST JET that easily???Whatch this space??
That should have the lawyers in business for a few more months as well.!!!

Oh, don't worry. We're still waiting with baited breath for FastJet South Africa to start. Right after SANTACO start flying cargo long haul and SAA take delivery of their 3rd A380.