Commercial Retail Aviation Procurement (CRAP), the company behind Springbok Air, has secured a lease for five new Boeing-777 300 aircraft and has been granted rights to operate daily services from both Cape Town and Johannesburg to London, scheduled to launch on December 1. A daily Johannesburg/Dubai route will follow on 15 January 2009, while a daily Johannesburg/Frankfurt route is planned for March next year.

Speaking from the company's Sandton office, Springbok Air spokesperson, Gerry Hatrick, said the new carrier will not be a no-frills airline, although fares will be highly competitive. A launch fare of R1599 return (excluding taxes) will be on offer when the airline goes online on May 15. Fares can be booked in the following class: I (J-class R6599), D 9 (full Y), IO (Groups) and T (Launch offer).

Mr. Hatrick said Springbok Air will return to the style of a "true national carrier" with all the comforts and full onboard service.

In keeping with modern trends, the airline will carry an onboard masseuse and other new pleasures for the air traveller. The airline has also negotiated with top retailer Mugg and Bean to operate a complimentary coffee bar, to be situated on the lower deck (cargo area) of the aircraft.

It is not just in the air that Springbok will return to the "grand old style of air travel", according to Mr. Hatrick, all uniforms will be resonant of the 1960s era and are being designed by leading Cape Town designer Aimee Froquette. She said the uniform will set a new standard in the way airline staff are viewed and will bring back the "glamour" of early airline travel.

However, not everyone has welcomed the news that there will be another flag carrier taking to South African skies. Newly-elected ASATA Cape Retail Chairman, Lew Niticks, said it is "commercial suicide", as the market was already saturated. In response to the 15 percent commission Springbok Air claims it will pay travel agents, Mr. Niticks remained sceptical and said he "smelt another Flitestar fiasco" in which his company lost R5-million, along with countless others.

An Airline Association of Southern Africa (AASA) executive, who wished to remain anonymous, said Springbok Air had applied for membership and she had verified the carrier's licenses and IATA credentials.

Meanwhile, Mr. Hatrick said invitations for the grand launch party at Sun City's Valley of the Waves would be sent out to all local travel agents shortly. "The venue is appropriate as the airline is going to make waves in the industry," he said. "South Africans will once again be proud to fly with the Bok!"

Patricia Lewis is scheduled to perform at the opening event, entertaining dignitaries from government and aircraft manufacturer Boeing, as well as Sir Richard Branson who is rumoured to have a shareholding in the new airline, although Mr. Hatrick would not confirm nor deny this.

For more information log onto www.flythebok.com; the airline's website is due to go live on 1 April. A rather special day in the year.

Published courtesy of the illustrious Travel Industry Review.

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Your comments so far...

If only the Flying Springbok would make an appearance – the new paintwork on our aircraft is an insult to the graceful planes.
Margi

Will Chuck Norris be the pilot?
Willie

Can I pay with Monopoly Money?
Peter

Love the new (CRAP) Airline…. Sure it's not run by eskom ;)
Ringo

Oh what absolutely spiffing news, but will they have parachutes?
Alan

Please don’t tell me that your Top Story headline ("Zim opposition in the lead") is ALSO an April Fool’s joke.
Greg

Will there be a carrier rack on the roof for all the chickens and goats?
Jeff

Ah, Bok off!
Yvette

WOW...catch that pig that just flew past the window!!!!!
Joy

Nice try guys, nice try!
Kevin

How many tickets has Jacob Zuma booked?
Brian

And maybe pigs will be flying alongside the aircraft.
Anon.

Where are they going to put the swimming pool, sauna and full size gym?
Sandra

Can I book on the I, D, IO & T classes at the same time?
Craig