Following the announcement that Mango will launch operations from Lanseria to Cape Town on June 1, rival low-cost carrier, kulula.com has expressed concerns that the airport may not have sufficient infrastructure to accommodate an increase in capacity, particularly during peak times.

 “The charm of Lanseria, being a smaller airport, is that it offers passengers more convenience. This benefit could be lost when 500 people are arriving, all at the same time, at 06h00 in the morning to catch a flight,” says joint CEO of Comair, Gidon Novick.

This, he says, will ultimately affect customer satisfaction, which should not be compromised.

“In addition, the airport needs a new runway as the current runway was not built for bigger aircraft. The airport has said this will happen but it needs to be done as soon as possible. If Lanseria wants to be a big airport, it needs the proper infrastructure,” Novick says.

He also points out that the success of the Gautrain’s airport route has seen many of the airline’s customers migrating back to OR Tambo International Airport. “For those corporate travellers who work in Sandton, the Gautrain is more convenient, and we’ve seen a shift back to OR Tambo.”

Mango’s initial frequency between Lanseria and Cape Town will see three flights daily on week days in each direction. Flights will depart Lanseria at 05h55, 11h55 and 17h50 daily and return from Cape Town at 08h35, 15h05 and 20h40.

The airline will also fly twice a day on Saturdays, departing at 06h30 and 13h15 with return flights at 09h30 and 16h15. Sunday flights will depart at 06h30, 12h10 and 1750, returning at 09h20, 14h50 and 20h40.

The launch of flights follows the introduction of the airline’s fifth new-generation B737 800 aircraft, which recently came online. Mango’s fleet now comprises five aircraft.

CEO Nico Bezuidenhout is optimistic about the airline’s new operation. “Demand has significantly increased across all routes and the introduction of a second presence in Gauteng will further strengthen Mango’s value proposition. We continue to offer the widest distribution and payment method network to our guests, and operations from Lanseria will further cement Mango’s commitment to its mandate of making air travel more accessible and affordable to South Africans.”