Skywise wings are clipped

©cunaplus via 123RF

As was the case with previous Skywise groundings by the Airports Company of SA, would-be passengers who turned up for yesterday's flight had to make their own alternative arrangements. A "dear passenger" notice informed them of the indefinite cancellation of Skywise flights, offered "sincere apologies" and advised them to seek refunds by contacting the airline's insurance company.

The airline was grounded for its failure to pay service fees.

Passenger dissatisfaction

For the 8,000 people who have paid for Skywise flights over the peak festive season, it's a big blow. "We have no idea what to do or expect," one posted online. "Will we be fully refunded? If so, when?" Calls to the airline's Johannesburg corporate office were left unanswered for much of the day.

Passengers who took Skywise's R25 travel insurance should also be refunded their accommodation and car hire costs in terms of the policy. Those who paid by credit card can apply to their banks for flight refunds via a process called chargeback.

Government intervention

The airline chose to state its case in the form of an open letter" to President Jacob Zuma and Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, pleading with them to "intervene" or arrange for ticket-holding Skywise passengers to be accommodated on South African Airways flights.

Many of those commenting on the issue on social media yesterday made mention of the government's repeated bail-outs of the financially mismanaged national carrier. "Skywise shut down for a few million while SAA needs a R5 billion bailout but is still flying," tweeted Megan Furniss.

There had been an agreement to pay its arrears to ACSA in three instalments, Skywise said in the open letter, and with two already paid, the third was due on Tuesday. The airline's request for a 48-hour extension was rejected. The airline argued that it was close to breaking even, and that its 200 employees now stood to lose their jobs.

Source: The Times