■ SOUTH AFRICA: mango to boost recruitment of black cadet-pilots as demand dictates.

South African LCC, mango (JE), and regional operator, South African Express (XZ), have announced that, leveraging an existing SAX Cadet Pilot scheme, the airlines will cooperate to see cadet pilots from disadvantaged or previously disenfranchised backgrounds absorbed into mango’s pilot body as per growth requirements. The initiative forms part of Mango’s greater transformation and social engagement programme.

► FLEET UPDATE BULLETIN: Air Burkina, Malu Aviation, Skyward Int'l, Jetlink Express, Air Madagascar, Ethiopian Airlines Cargo, Mango, Sahara African Aviation, SKA Aircraft Leasing.

The following is a fleet update bulletin for aircraft that are in use, have been in use or will be in use for these listed airlines: Ethiopian Airlines Cargo, Mango, Sahara African Aviation, SKA Aircraft Leasing, Air Burkina, Malu Aviation, Skyward International Aviation, Jetlink Express, Air Madagascar.

► TANZANIA: mango starts scheduled Johannesburg - Zanzibar flights from late September.

South African LCC, mango (JE), will début its first scheduled international operations between Johannesburg (OR Tambo International) and Zanzibar effective September 21. The twice weekly flights will operate on-board a B737-800. 

■ SOUTH AFRICA: mango seals deal with Acro Aircraft Seating for its 737 fleet.

South African LCC, mango (JE), has sealed a contract with UK-based passenger aircraft seat manufacturer, Acro Aircraft Seating, for the manufacture and installation of its Ultra R seats aboard mango's entire fleet of Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The deal, which includes six shipsets and equates to 1116 economy class seats, marks the first major African client for the Redhill, Surrey-based manufacturer.

► SOUTH AFRICA: mango to start 3x weekly Johannesburg - George from mid November.

South African LCC, mango (JE), has announced plans to launch three times weekly flights from Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport to the south-western city of George with effect from November 18. Flights will operate using a B737-800.

► SOUTH AFRICA: Mango to boost local frequencies with arrival of first leased 737-800 in August.

South African LCC, mango (JE), is planning to boost its local capacity by over 30 weekly flights following the introduction of the first of two B737-800s leased from Safair in August CEO, Mr Nico Bezuidenhout, has confirmed.

► SOUTH AFRICA: Mango to lease two 737-800s from Safair before year end.

South African LCC, Mango (JE), the sister carrier to South African Airways, plans to lease two 737-800s from ACMI specialists, Safair (FA), before the end of the year, CEO Nico Bezuidenhout has said. Mango currently operates six B737-800s and a sole B737-300.

■ SOUTH AFRICA: Government planning to merge SAA, Mango, SA Express into one holding company?

South African Airways (SA) and its subsidiaries, Low Cost Carrier Mango (JE), SA Express (XZ) (and possibly SA Airlink (4Z) though no mention is made of it) could be merged into a single holding company according to a leaked SAA communique.

► TANZANIA: Mango, AfricaStay to start charter flights to Zanzibar from mid March.

Confirming previous speculative reports, South African LCC Mango (JE) in conjunction with AfricaStay, a specialized internet travel company focusing on promoting travel within Africa, are to offer once weekly charter flights between South Africa and Zanzibar using a Boeing 737-800.

► TANZANIA: South Africa's Mango sets sights on East Africa with Zanzibar a possible launch destination.

South African Low Cost Carrier Mango (JE) is set to expand into the East African market in the coming 18 months according to Mango CEO Nico Bezuidenhout with the strongest contender on the carrier's list said to be Zanzibar, where the carrier operated a limited charter service in December.

■ SOUTH AFRICA: SAA, Mango, Comair all object to fastjet's 1Time licence transfer designs as Skywise's ASLC application fails.

In a rare show of unity, South African carriers Mango (JE), South African Airways (SA) and Comair Group (owners of BA Comair (BA) and Kulula (MN)) have collectively objected to the South African Air Services Licensing Council, a state regulator set to convene next month, over fastjet's (FN) proposed transfer of 1time’s operators licence, who are applying for a Ministerial exemption in order to fast track the process.