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File photo: Some passengers believe it is doubtful whether Durban-based airline Velvet Sky will be able to honour their tickets.

A business dispute caused all Velvet Sky flights on Thursday to be cancelled, the low-cost airline said.

“We had to cancel all our flights today,” Velvet Sky spokesman Gary Webb said.

“We are in a dispute with a service provider. We are in the process of changing service providers so we started that process today 1/8Thursday 3/8, but it was not concluded in time to operate.”

The broad-based black economic empowerment company is based in Durban and flies between that city, Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Earlier on Thursday, the airline apologised and said flights were only delayed not cancelled.

Velvet Sky said the delays, which started on Wednesday, were caused by circumstances beyond its control.

“Velvet Sky management however continues to work very hard in ensuring that there is minimal disruption in our operation.”

Airports Company SA (Acsa) confirmed the delays.

Acsa spokesman Solomon Makgale said Wednesday's delays were primarily out of Cape Town. The delays on Thursday were from Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.

Webb said passengers would be reimbursed on merit. Some people would receive refunds and others flights to their destination on other airlines.

“We are going to have a bit of a backlog because of today, but we should be okay.”

He advised customers to check their flights on the Velvet Sky website or phone the call centre. The airline would also contact passengers via SMS.

“We are doing our best to keep all our passengers accommodated,” Webb said. - Sapa

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