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Thursday, July 11, 2013

► 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.

A mango 737-800
A mango 737-800 (mango)
According to BusinessDay, the frequency increase will apply to the carrier's major routes with additional flights scheduled between Johannesburg and Durban, Durban and Cape Town, Cape Town and Johannesburg.

In addition to setting up a new base in Durban and researching new domestic routes, Mr Bezuidenhout confirmed that his airline is currently investigating the possibility of launching regional operations.
"We have applied for a schedule operation to two east-African destinations and presently in the final planning stages for a seventh domestic port." Mango currently operates charter flights to Zanzibar on behalf of tour operator AfricaStay.
The second new generation Boeing 737-800 will join the airline's fleet later in the year.

mango's decision to boost its local flights comes as startup, Skywise, is due to launch operations  on August 1 with a five times daily Johannesburg - Cape Town  service to be plied with two B737-300s; one based in each city.