Kimberley - Fly Blue Crane launched its maiden flight from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg to Bloemfontein, Kimberley and Nelspruit on Tuesday.
The airline, which will sell tickets at a rate of 15 to 20 percent cheaper than its competitors, will officially start commercial flights on Thursday.
Fly Blue Crane CEO, Siza Mzimela, – the former CEO of South African Airways and South African Express – said that their online ticket sales were picking up.
“We hope to expand our flight destinations to Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo. We currently have two 50-seater Embraer Regional Jet 145 aircraft. The airline will aim to keep its current rates in order to make flying affordable for both business and leisure travel.”
She added that while major airports in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town were over-catered, Fly Blue Crane had noted a gap in the market in cities such as Kimberley.
“We want to offer a quality service, good prices and more flexible flying opportunities.”
Passengers who flew on the launch flight were full of praise for the airline.
Zuki Jantjies, a Johannesburg resident, described the airline service as “amazing”.
“Fly Blue Crane is a certainly a good choice as I often travel to Kimberley for business.”
Andries Entjane and Thandi Ledwanbe from the national Department of Transport believed that it would offer Kimberley passengers a choice of airlines.
“We were very impressed with the flight.”
Ian van Rooyen from Johannesburg added that he was excited at the new airline and standard of service.
Fly Blue Crane offers flights from Johannesburg to:
• Bloemfontein – five times a day during the week, twice on Saturdays, and three times on Sundays.
• Kimberley – three times a day during the week, once on Saturdays, and twice on Sundays.
• Nelspruit – twice daily Mondays to Fridays, once on Saturdays, and once on Sundays.
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