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By Travel Reporter 
2h ago
FlySafair urges competitors to get back to market as quickly as possible to meet growing consumer demand for domestic flights.
Currently, only FlySafair, Mango, Airlink and Cemair are competing in the domestic market.
Kirby Gordon, FlySafair’s chief marketing officer, said the airline will operate at full capacity from November.
“At the beginning of November, we will be operating at full capacity again. While this is great for us, the problem is that we are reaching a limit now where the demand for flights will exceed supply, resulting in higher prices, unless some of our competitors can get back into action. “
He said that prior to the national shutdown, FlySafair operated about 24% of the domestic seating capacity in South Africa, that share currently stands at about 76% because major competitors Kulula and British Airways remain in a dormant state awaiting relaunch after business rescue procedures.
While Mango Airlines is operating, its hours remain very short as concerns about the future of South African Airways (Mango’s parent company) remain uncertain.
“We started over on June 15 this year and have practically been wearing the mantle ever since.
“It has been a privilege to fly during this time, and we have been able to continually add additional seats as demand for flights has increased, but that capacity is now coming to an end because we are operating at full speed. We need our competition to return, “he said.
Concerns are emerging around the prospects for a possible second wave of coronavirus infections, and while the possible imposition of stricter regulations may be on the horizon, leading indicators show that this December season could spell a welcome boom for tourism. local.
“There is a lot of pent-up demand and the news from the lodging sector is that the bookings for December look solid.
“The problem is that flights are going to be expensive unless we see more capacity being injected into the market soon.
“Healthy competition makes flying more affordable and having options also stimulates consumer demand,” he added.
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