African air travel only accounts for three percent of total air traffic, however a number of
quality airlines have emerged in more developed countries, some even 70 years ago.
With the change in air travel, African skies have also changed. There are now a number of
low-fare airlines in Africa, especially in North Africa and Southern Africa.
Air traffic in Central and West Africa is still very unstable and many airlines appear on the
market, only to dissolve a few month later. This is why there has not been a development
of reliable airlines until today. With the change in politics and less wars in Africa, this
might become possible in the future.
There are also heavy restrictions in many African countries, making it difficult for airlines
to set up operations to other countries within Africa and to provide good connections
within the continent.
The discount airlines described below are stable and safe. Although many people think
that low-fare airlines are not as safe as others, especially in Africa, this is not true. Cheap
prices are created by having less service, no drinks and food for free on board and faster
turn-around times.
South Africa
By Fluglotse2000.Many of the local airlines have online specials and/or discounted rates
if you book flights on their website. Most of the local carriers have the "E-Ticket" option
which is cheaper. This means that you will not be sent a printed ticket, but you will be able
to check in with your passport or identity document directly at the check-in counter on the
day of the flight.
While there are many travel agents in South Africa who advertise that they specialise in
discounted tickets, it is still often cheaper to book direct with the airline or on their website.
Kulula.com was the first sub-Saharan low-fare airline. It is based in Johannesburg,
South Africa and operates to domestic destinations, like Cape Town, Durban, Port
Elizabeth and the Kruger Mpumalanga Airport near Nelspruit and the Kruger National
Park. it recently started flights to Harare in Zimbabwe and Windhoek in Namibia from
Johannesburg. It uses leased aircraft from Safair. It is the daughter company of South
African airline Comair, which is an affiliate of British Airways.
1 Time is also based in Johannesburg and in strong competition with kulula.com. The
airline also operates flights within the country, its main destinations being Cape Town,
Durban and George.
Mango is a new low cost airline backed by South African Airways. Launched on 31
October 2006, it flies between Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Bloemfontein.
Interlink Airlines has flights between Johannesburg and Cape Town, and between
Johannesburg and Kruger Park.
These airlines are reliable and offer low fares. You should, however, be sure to check
prices at other South African airlines and keep in mind that you will have to face a lower
service level when flying low-fare. Some of the other airlines do have special discount
fares at some times:
Comair
Nationwide used to match the prices of discount airlines. Unfortunately the airline was
placed under liquidation in April 2008 and no longer operates.
South African Airways
