South African British Airways (BA) franchisee Comair has been grounded once again as it seeks to secure fresh funding.

The airline, founded as long ago as 1943, has had a recent troubled history filing for voluntary financial rescue in May 2020, citing the pandemic as the cause of its problems, but did continue with limited services.  The South African Civil Aviation Authority temporarily suspended all Comair services in March of this year as a result of safety concerns.

In a statement Comair said that it had cancelled all BA and subsidiary Kulula flights “pending successfully securing additional funding”.

“The company’s business rescue practitioners (BRPs) have advised that the process to raise the necessary capital is in progress and that there is reason to believe such funding may be secured,” the statement continued.

“Once received, the airline will be able to recommence operations, but regrettably under these circumstances, the practitioners have no choice but to voluntarily suspend all scheduled flights until the funding is confirmed”.

Glenn Orsmond, Group CEO, stressed that “Comair is inherently a viable business.  We have the two of the best airline brands in the country.  We are on track to carry over four million passengers this year and generate R5.3bn in revenue.  We have excellent staff, a modern fleet, good sales and distribution channels and low operating costs, which is why we believe the funding will be secured”.

BA continues with flights London to Johannesburg and Cape Town.

See also BTN 21 March Comair flies again.

www.comair.co.za