Share

Stormy Skywise to face the aviation music

Johannesburg - Budget airline Skywise’s repeated flight delays and cancellations in the recent past have put it on the radar of the Air Services Licensing Council, which wants answers about the airline’s financial position.

The council’s director for air transport, Vuwani Ndwamato, told City Press that, as a regulatory body, it would meet Skywise’s top brass to explain its situation next month.

Ndwamato said that “in his opinion”, cash flow problems could have “safety implications” and could expose consumers to losses if paid-up tickets could not be refunded when, or if, flights are grounded.

Skywise interim CEO Tabassum Qadir admitted that the airline had been contacted by the council. “We will share with them that we are still a going concern.” Asked whether there were safety concerns, she said: “Not at all.”

Qadir was made interim CEO after Irfan Pardesi, who was appointed on August 11, resigned suddenly earlier this month. Skywise said “he was not able to take the pressure of the aviation business”.

His personal assistant said he couldn’t be contacted for comment.

Allegations that co-CEO Johan Borstlap had also resigned were denied by Qadir.

Skywise launched earlier this year, but is apparently threatening to join the aviation scrapheap of 10 other budget airlines that have failed in the local skies – including 1time, Velvet Sky and Nationwide.

It had a plane grounded in Johannesburg last week, allegedly for repeatedly failing to pay its lease to the plane’s owner, Vernon Bricknell, former CEO of Nationwide. Bricknell told City Press he’d had problems getting paid by Skywise from “day one”.

“I’ve had enough,” he said, adding that he was still owed a lot of money, but didn’t “want to elaborate”. He was scathing about Skywise’s ability to operate an airline and questioned how it had got a licence.

Bricknell claimed he had to “run around getting them a spare tyre” recently. He said a plane was grounded because two fuses needed replacing at a cost of R36 000. “They couldn’t pay for them.”

But a furious Qadir vehemently denied this and said: “I’m surprised you’re relying on operational aviation information from the ex-CEO of the defunct Nationwide.”

Qadir also denied that Skywise had failed to come up with the cash it owed Bricknell, saying: “Not even one payment did we miss.”

When City Press contacted Bricknell the next day, though, the problem seemed to have been resolved. He said he’d agreed to let Skywise use the plane because “I felt sorry for them. I know they’re having trouble.”

It may not be so easy to placate the licensing council.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
18.94
-0.2%
Rand - Pound
23.91
-0.1%
Rand - Euro
20.43
+0.2%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.34
+0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.13
-0.2%
Platinum
910.50
+1.5%
Palladium
1,011.50
+1.0%
Gold
2,221.35
+1.2%
Silver
24.87
+0.9%
Brent Crude
86.09
-0.2%
Top 40
68,346
+1.0%
All Share
74,536
+0.8%
Resource 10
57,251
+2.8%
Industrial 25
103,936
+0.6%
Financial 15
16,502
-0.1%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders