Mango and SA Express Airways to collaborate on training

The co-operation will have cadet pilots from disadvantaged or previously disenfranchised backgrounds absorbed into Mango's pilot body per growth requirements, where the airline's rigorous training programme on its fleet of Boeing 737-800 aircraft will provide essential exposure to larger aircraft types to the cadet pilots. The initiative forms part of Mango's greater transformation and social engagement programme.

"The initiative represents the next step in Mango's commitment to support transformation in a principled, sustainable and responsible manner," said CEO Nico Bezuidenhout. He added that the airline will achieve a 10% black pilot representation level by March 2014. "This amounts to more than twice the average black pilot representation in the domestic industry," said Bezuidenhout. Mango already holds the highest BBBEE level (5) among scheduled mainline carriers in South Africa.

Allows career progression

Inati Ntshanga, CEO of SAX, said that the partnership complements the carrier's existing programme. "The initiative will provide greater sustainability in terms of the programme and allows for career progression beyond our aircraft gauge with the opportunity to gain type ratings on Mango's larger aircraft type."

The initiative also forms part of Mango's strategic growth plan. Over the past 12 months the airline has added four new routes to its network, became the first African carrier to offer in-flight Wi-Fi on most of its flights and launched a seat replacement programme that would substantially increase on-board legroom and reduce fleet emissions by 1.7 million tons annually. "Inclusive of the recent fiscal, Mango has enjoyed four profitable years out of its first six full fiscals," said Bezuidenhout, "and with further growth planned along with our transformation ambition the importance of talent acquisition cannot be underestimated."

Mango this year increased its fleet with two additional new-generation Boeing 737-800 aircraft with further fleet growth planned for the near future.