Fly Blue Crane officially launched flights on September 1, operating to “underserved” routes in South Africa from Johannesburg.
The airline, which is headed up by ex-SAA Executives Siza Mzimela, Theunis Potgieter and Jerome Simelane, first announced plans to launch flights in May last year.
Initially, three domestic routes will be on offer. Based in Johannesburg, the airline will fly to Bloemfontein, Kimberley and Nelspruit. Plans are to expand quickly, adding new domestic routes as well as focusing on regional routes, says Potgieter.
Flights will be operated by two 50-seater ERJ145s. The Bloemfontein route will operate return flights five times daily on weekdays, twice on Saturdays and three times on Sundays. Kimberley will be serviced three times daily on weekdays, once on Saturday and twice on Sunday. The Nelspruit route will operate return flights twice daily on weekdays and once on Saturdays and Sundays.
It aims to provide a high frequency “hybrid” service geared at the business market. “We’re not an LCC or a full-service carrier,” says Chief Operating Officer, Theunis Potgieter, “we are a hybrid airline that will offer quality products but at a more competitive price.”
GM of Commerical, Jerome Simelane, highlights Fly Blue Crane’s commitment to the trade, saying the airline will offer upfront commission structures. It will also offer an agency portal that enables agents to complete tasks such as filing private fares and managing refund processes and commission reports. A dedicated travel desk for agents has also been put in place.
