Comair’s liquidation to affect South Africa-Mauritius route 

As the end draws near for South Africa’s Comair and its lower-cost subsidiary, kulula, there are growing concerns that the connectivity with Mauritius could be seriously impacted.

Combined, Comair – a British Airways franchisee – and kulula was South Africa’s second-largest operator. As such, their exit significantly impacts South African aviation, primarily domestically, but also regionally – including with Mauritius. Kulula was purely domestic, while Comair only had three international routes: Johannesburg to Harare, Mauritius, and Victoria Falls.

According to media reports, the loss of Comair and kulula will mean a drop of around 19,000 domestic flights, representing a quarter of domestic flights.

In terms of seats, this represents a drop of 3.2 million seats on their B737-800 and B737-400.

When combined, Comair/kulula was South Africa’s second-largest operator by seats for sale. 

Comair remains grounded, although reports have it that a financial lifeline means it might spring back to life. 

British Airways (operated by Comair) has been flying to Mauritius three times a week: on Saturdays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, with flights departing OR Tambo International Airport in the morning and arriving in the late afternoon.

The third flight was added in March after demand was seen as growing steadily since February.

“Mauritius has always been a perennial favourite holiday destination for South Africans and this, with the pent-up demand from people who may have had to cancel other holiday plans has seen a relatively quick recovery on the route,” BA Sales and Marketing Executive, Brian Kitchin had been cited as saying at that time.

But Comair has also been facing persistent safety-related incidents. The latest occurred when a BA branded flight from Johannesburg to Mauritius was forced to return or OR Tambo International Airport following a tail strike.

With inputs from SimpleFlying, News24, the Citizen