SAFAIR TO JOIN LOW COST MARKET?

[SA747]

Booking has now opened on FlySafair.co.za.

[Ray W]

Just did a quick fake booking - not bad prices at all.

[Pilot Dreamer]

Looks like Comair won the battle for now. I received this mail this morning.

"Dear Passengers,

Following today’s court ruling in respect of which certain competitors obtained an urgent interdict against FlySafair, the new low cost carrier of Safair Operations (Pty) Limited, we would like to provide you with some feedback and inform you of our steps moving forward.

Before we launch into business, we would firstly like to thank you for your patience and support in buying tickets pending our maiden voyage.

Unfortunately, and contrary to our expectations, the court has granted the interdict as sought by our competitors, which effectively prohibits FlySafair from starting operations until such time that the Air Services Licensing Council's decision to grant Safair the scheduled license has been reviewed by the court.

We understand that as an airline we have a duty and a commitment to the thousands of passengers, such as yourself, who have already booked flights with us, and as importantly, the 300 plus employees whose lives will be affected by the court’s decision. Our board is therefore currently considering all available options as we remain dedicated to the launch of FlySafair.

We have however, taken all the necessary precautions to protect our customers in the eventuality that not all goes according to plan. Following negotiations with all the major banks and having provided guarantees to the Air Services Licensing Council, passengers are guaranteed that their money will be refunded.

Having had time to study the interdict, we have made the decision to cancel all bookings and refund all passengers for tickets booked, starting with the most imminent flights and doing it as quickly as possible.

Additionally, the court today ordered Comair, the plaintiff in the matter, to accommodate FlySafair’s passengers by honouring their ticket prices and dates of travel as was booked and agreed to with FlySafair. Comair is further instructed do this at no extra charge to the passenger.

Even though the news is not great for FlySafair, we are pleased that our passengers will be taken care of. We do however, need to stress that the benefit for our passengers is that FlySafair has increased the number of cheap tickets in the domestic market and that we’ve driven the general prices in the industry down, which Comair will now have to honour as ordered.

We trust this letter provides clarity on the situation FlySafair is temporarily faced with.

In conclusion, please accept our sincerest apologies for any inconvenience caused. We do, however, urge you to keep your eyes set on the skies as we remain confident that the issue will be resolved.

Should you have any additional questions, or need to make arrangements for a refund of your tickets or to switch services to Comair, please contact our call centre on 087 135 1351 or email info@flysafair.co.za.

Sincerely,

Dave Andrew
CEO - FlySafair"