What we know:
1. All Skywise flights have been cancelled until further notice after Acsa grounded the low-cost airline on December 2.
2. Passengers who booked between December 2 and 10 will be refunded, but Skywise apologises because of the influx of requests. They will get back to you.
3. From December 11, Skywise hopes to be back in the air and asks passengers to be patient.
* Are you a passenger booked with Skywise, or are you working for the low cost carrier? . Send us your thoughts and get published
03 Dec 2015
Reaction to Skywise's letter to President Jacob Zuma to help save the airline was met with criticism on its Facebook post.
Dee Da Silva Nope wrote: Sorry no bail out. Instead of using SAA as a case study for more bail outs we should question why SAA and others continually receive bail out money and put an end to it. If this company receives a bail out then why not others? You have failed as many others have. Now go back to the drawing board and find a PRO PER solution and if your plan is solid, you will find funding.
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How Skywise reacted on Wednesday
They sent an open Letter to President Jacob Zuma and Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, appealing for intervention.
03 Dec 2015
DAY 2: SKYWISE APOLOGISES AND APPEALS TO AFFECTED PASSENGERS
Press statement on Thursday by Skywise:
Skywise has apologised and appealed to affected passengers as it is currently experiencing an influx for refunds and wishes to make the process easy for them.
All passengers that are booked to travel between the 3rd and the 10th of December are being addressed through the call centre. The contact details to use are refunds@skywise.co.za and 0861 911 435.
For those traveling after the 10th, we kindly request for their patience as we work hard with the responsible authorities to bring our aircrafts back in the skies. We will shortly announce an update on the outcome of the process that is currently in progress.
“We apologise and appeal to all affected passengers during this difficult time. We have highly inconvenienced our customers but promise them that we will be back to offer a much better flying service”, says Tabassum Qadir, co-chairperson.
Skywise management have prioritised the importance of getting back trust and confidence from customers and the travel trade industry in anticipation to be allowed to operate again shortly.
At the same time, we appeal for all affected passengers to be patient. But we are working hard to ensure all the above processes are completed as soon as possible. Skywise is grateful to South Africans for their warm and priceless support during this difficult time.
We look forward to their continued support once we bounce back and promise to offer them the affordable air fares and customer service they had known.
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All airlines are aware of Acsa terms
June Crawford, CEO of the Board of Airline Representatives South Africa, commented on the Skywise situation:
"All airlines before starting new operations are aware of the
terms and conditions of payment for services provided by Acsa and ATNS. In fact,
all airlines agree to these conditions. I do not believe exceptions can be made."
02 Dec 2015
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Skywise needs better communication, government should incentivise Skywise
Brand reputation management adviser Solly Moeng:
"First of all, Skywise should have seen this coming and put a plan in place to notify its passengers immediately after it got grounded, outlining a Plan B for passengers with booked tickets and immediate travel plans.
"This could either be refunds or arrangements with another airline.
"In this case, passengers are unfairly caught in-between Skywise and Acsa; this shouldn't have to be their problem and they shouldn't be used as bargaining baits for Skywise.
"On the other hand, there is something to be said about government using taxpayer funds to constantly bail out SAA, which is perennially managed, while failing to incentivise private enterprise in the same sector."
02 Dec 2015
Africa's largest online booking agent Travelstart says it is waiting to confirm the way forward with Skywise.
"We are waiting for Skywise to confirm a way forward - at this stage all we know is that the airline is once again battling cash flow issues," said TravelStart spokesperson Russel Jarvis.
"Should the airline cease operations we as Travelstart will honour our customers and activate a contingency plan similar to that of 2012 when 1Time Airlines liquidated."
02 Dec 2015
Twitter user Werner Keet has called on investors with a Christmas spirit to save Skywise and let its passengers go on holiday. Any takers? Tell us now.
02 Dec 2015
Use a travel agent to avoid being disappointed - Fin24 user
Fin24 user Willem Schutte works for a prominent travel agent and says they constantly warn people not to book low cost airlines like SkyWise and FlyAfrica.
“These airlines have been having a lot of issues lately and should people have consulted their travel agent they would have known about it and would have been warned,” he said. “However, people go online and book their flights and now cannot get help.
“This is why we as travel agents exist,” he said. “To assist and advise. We are experts in this field.
“I feel for the people that have booked on Skywise, but I urge everyone affected to use their travel agents next time they travel, so that we can assist them when things go wrong.
“Peace of mind may cost more, but it is worth every cent.”
02 Dec 2015
Acsa has nothing more to say
Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) told Fin24 on Wednesday afternoon that at this stage it does not have anything more to add regarding Skywise, apart from what is stated in the media statement issued by ACSA on Wednesday morning.
In its statement ACSA confirmed that Skywise has been suspended from operating at ACSA airports with effect from December 2, due to unpaid airport charges for landing, take off, parking of aircrafts and related service charges.
ACSA said the suspension will be withdrawn as soon as Skywise has made appropriate payments in accordance with the relevant regulations.
02 Dec 2015
02 Dec 2015
Comments from Fin24 users:
Burton Masher: We have our flights booked with Skywise for 25th of December 2015 and return 1 January 2016. Should we book new flights? Skywise is not answering our calls and we do not know what to do. Accommodation and car rental has already been paid.
Ryan Ferreira: Skywise Disaster – Booked last night at 23h00 for flights on the 19th December 2015; now have had to booked on another airline. Had to spend an additional R4 000 to get flights with another airline. Who knows if we will be refunded!
Eugene Swart: Ticket with Skywise has been booked to return from Johannesburg on the 20th of December for my mother, now I don’t know if I should cancel this booking and with that money and buy another ticket? Ticket prices are increasing by the hour and I know less about Skywise now than I did this morning. A little bit frustrating to say the least.
02 Dec 2015
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Comments from Fin24 users:
Hazel Fouche: We had tickets booked to fly to Cape Town tomorrow and have had to get last minute bookings with another airline. Luckily there were some tickets still available!
Peter Doble: Acsa is a government body which is strangling the economy. Unless low cost air travel is allowed to thrive, both the commercial and tourist economy will suffer.
Dawn de Villiers: We booked four tickets for March next year for a wedding, got two bridesmaids and mother of bride on the flight. I can’t get through to Skywise whose phones are off. I paid the R25 insurance why are my chances of getting a refund?
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