Lift new ariline 2

Photo: Unsplash

SA’s ‘new airline’ now has a name – beating these comical suggestions

Anybody need a ‘Lift’? South Africa has a new airline, and after a successful social media campaign, our latest aviation option now has a name.

Lift new ariline 2

Photo: Unsplash

Gidon Novick, the founder of Kulula, is launching a new airline in South Africa before the end of the year. After getting everything in place to launch his new business, the only thing missing was a name – until now: It has officially been confirmed that the new venture will be known as ‘Lift Airlines’.

We have Lift-off…

The suggestion was made during a competition Novick had run during lockdown. He wanted South Africans to come up with the best possible name for the new fleet. Eight people answered with ‘Lift’, and they will now share the main prize:

“Everyone has agreed to share the prize. Each will receive their portion of a year’s flights. Their names will also be inscribed on the body of the first plane that takes to the air.”

Gidon Novick, speaking to BusinessTech

South Africa’s new airline – what other names were suggested?

However, it’s fair to say that Lift had some major – if not comical – competition. Novick has also discussed other suggestions that did not quite make the grade for our new airline, following a social media frenzy:

  • Lekker Airlines
  • Wakanda Air
  • FlyMzansi
  • Djyrynie
  • Venga Airways
  • Planey McPlaneface
  • Gravy Plane

Lift: When will South Africa’s new airline offer flights?

We’re still laughing at ‘Gravy Plane’, to be honest with you. But, looking ahead to life with Lift, we can confirm that the first flights should be fully operational by December. Novick has stated that the new airline will ‘operate like Uber taxis’, and flight schedules will be determined by popularity and demand. He’s also got his first official ‘Lift-off’ pun up and running…

“With a name safely strapped in the team is now focused on its final pre-launch activities including getting the booking system up and running, crew training, aircraft preparation, and marketing activities ahead of the first flight set to take to the skies in December when the new airline Lifts off”

Gidon Novick