Mango resumes flights, set to hold talks with Treasury

State-owned low-cost airline, Mango Airlines, has confirmed that flights have resumed after being forced to ground its planes. Scores of passengers were left stranded on Wednesday – following the low-cost carrier’s announcement that it failed to pay landing and take-off fees to the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA).

Travel agents also scrambled to warn their customers not to book flights using Mango.

Vanessa Poonah reports from the Cape Town International Airport:

[embedded content]

Mango has now made a partial payment to ACSA. However, operations are expected to grind to a halt on Saturday due to the company facing major financial uncertainty.

Mango Airlines’ Spokesperson, Benediction Zubane, says the firm is meeting with National Treasury today in hopes to find a financial solution.

“Yes, they are running again and there are no issues at this stage. As of yesterday afternoon, we made partial payment to Acsa and as a result the suspension was lifted in the afternoon. We would like to continue servicing our customers. At this stage, between today and tomorrow, something can happen because I can confirm that this morning there is a high level meeting between our shareholder, including Treasury, just to make sure that we find a solution to the issue,” explains Zubane.

Yesterday, the Dynamic Peoples Union of South Africa (Dypusa) told SABC News that its members who work for Mango Airlines, were panicking after the management of the airline said it will opt for Voluntary Business Rescue. Dypusa says its members will not survive a two months salary freeze if it is implemented by the low-cost airline.

The union is urging government and Mango’s management to find an urgent solution to the crisis.

Nosipho Mncube reports on the saga from the OR Tambo International Airport:

[embedded content]