Airlink Kenya Airways

Airlink and Kenya Airways offer connected route networks in Africa. Image: Adobe Stock

Frustrated airlines blocked from using routes monopolised by SAA

Private airlines are unable to start operating routes that were previously allocated to the now mothballed national carrier.

Airlink Kenya Airways

Airlink and Kenya Airways offer connected route networks in Africa. Image: Adobe Stock

Protectionist behaviour is preventing South Africa’s privately owned airlines from starting up scheduled flights on routes previously operated by the state-owned airline.

Borders have reopened in most Southern African countries and businesses are back to work. Airlines have been given the go-ahead to resume scheduled flights between South Africa and many destinations in the region.

Why, then, must a passenger take two or three flights to travel to a destination like Lilongwe in Malawi, which only a few months ago would have been within direct reach of Johannesburg?

PROFITABLE REGIONAL ROUTES

South African Airways (SAA) and SA Express previously operated flights to several regional destinations where there is now longer any air service. Several of these were profitable and attracted good passenger volumes, making them key routes for the national carrier.

The absence of SAA and SA Express has left many commercial scheduled routes unserved for several months. This has forced some passengers who need to reach specific destinations to take several flights to reach their destination.

Over the years there was talk of turning SAA into a boutique regional carrier, serving exclusively African routes in favour of its loss-making international routes. This would have helped SAA alleviate its financial situation and constant dependency on bailouts from taxpayers.

REGULATING AIRLINE ROUTES

Bilateral agreements are agreements between states, regulating the number of flights and the number of airlines that may operate between countries.

The Air Services Licensing Council (ASLC), which falls under South Africa’s Department of Transport, is responsible for issuing permits to airlines that intend to operate flights on routes between destinations.

PROTECTIONIST BEHAVIOUR FAVOURS SAA

The ASLC is obligated under the International Air Services Act (1993) to assess the air traffic rights which it allocated. If these have been unused for more than three months, it must allow other airlines to apply for permits to operate flights on these routes.

“According to the International Air Services Act 60 of 1993, the ASLC is required to do an assessment in terms of air traffic rights that have been allocated, but remained dormant for more than three months,” Airlink CEO Rodger Foster said, as quoted in Travelnews.

“If there is no plausible reason to retain them, these must be rescinded from the airline in question and made available to new applicants.”

OPPORTUNITY FOR OTHER AIRLINES

SAA plane
SAA’s commercial passenger planes have been grounded since late March 2020. Image: Adobe Stock

Several of South Africa’s privately owned airlines which have already returned to the skies are keen to operate flights on selected routes currently not being serviced due to the long absence of SAA and SA Express. Passenger demand does exist on these routes.

Travelnews reports that airlines have lodged complaints with the Air Services Licensing Council for not releasing rights to operate flights on these routes.  

“In terms of the Act, the dormant traffic rights are supposed to be rescinded by the council and held available for other interested airlines to apply for and operate,” Foster said.

DISADVANTAGING SOUTH AFRICANS

It seems South Africans needing to reach currently unserved destinations previously operated by SAA have to wait until there has been a shake-up at the ASLC.

This may not be far off since complaints are mounting up against the ASLC’s protectionist behaviour. Airlines and aviation leasing companies have taken action, and expect decisions to be made soon.

“Why should South Africans be penalised by limited air connectivity due to SA Express and SAA’s inability to restart their operations, when private role players are available to service these routes immediately?” Theunis Crous, CEO of Aviation company Fly Modern Ark, told Travelnews.