Civair
Encyclopedia
Civair is an airline
and helicopter
charter
operator based in Cape Town
, South Africa
. The company's core business is the operation of helicopter charters.
In March 2004, an attempt was made at starting up a low-cost airline
flying between Cape Town and London Stansted
, serving the route three times a week with a Boeing 747
.
In December 2004, about 7,400 passengers were left out-of-pocket when it transpired that Civair did not have an aircraft available for the flights, and neither did it have the funding to offer any alternatives. Amidst the public relations disaster that followed, partial refunds were given to passengers who purchased tickets on their website http://www.civair.com, their only ticket outlet. None of the passengers were ever officially notified of the cancellations. Civair received a further blow when it was discovered that the Proudly South African
logo (a South African business standards association) was being illegally used, with Civair not being a member. In 2005, the company's director Andy Cluver, together with Kobus Nell, the organization's accountant, were called to account for Civair's actions by the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority
) in South Africa.
and fixed wing charter services, the main business of the organisation. Civair Airways (Pty) Ltd was due to operate the web-based international budget airline.
Helicopters:
Aircraft:
These aircraft are on a permanent sub-contract basis to the Civair.
Airline
An airline provides air transport services for traveling passengers and freight. Airlines lease or own their aircraft with which to supply these services and may form partnerships or alliances with other airlines for mutual benefit...
and helicopter
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
charter
Charter
A charter is the grant of authority or rights, stating that the granter formally recognizes the prerogative of the recipient to exercise the rights specified...
operator based in Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. The company's core business is the operation of helicopter charters.
In March 2004, an attempt was made at starting up a low-cost airline
Low-cost carrier
A low-cost carrier or low-cost airline is an airline that generally has lower fares and fewer comforts...
flying between Cape Town and London Stansted
London Stansted Airport
-Cargo:-Statistics:-Infrastructure:-Terminal and satellite buildings:Stansted is the newest passenger airport of all the main London airports. The terminal is an oblong glass building, and is separated in to three areas: Check-in concourse, arrivals and departures...
, serving the route three times a week with a Boeing 747
Boeing 747
The Boeing 747 is a wide-body commercial airliner and cargo transport, often referred to by its original nickname, Jumbo Jet, or Queen of the Skies. It is among the world's most recognizable aircraft, and was the first wide-body ever produced...
.
In December 2004, about 7,400 passengers were left out-of-pocket when it transpired that Civair did not have an aircraft available for the flights, and neither did it have the funding to offer any alternatives. Amidst the public relations disaster that followed, partial refunds were given to passengers who purchased tickets on their website http://www.civair.com, their only ticket outlet. None of the passengers were ever officially notified of the cancellations. Civair received a further blow when it was discovered that the Proudly South African
Proudly South African
The Proudly South African campaign is a South African 'buy local' marketing campaign and logo.Cost of membership is normally 0,1% of sales of those products bearing the PSA logo, but is negotiable in special circumstances. Non-commercial organisations pay a nominal fee.The group has recently come...
logo (a South African business standards association) was being illegally used, with Civair not being a member. In 2005, the company's director Andy Cluver, together with Kobus Nell, the organization's accountant, were called to account for Civair's actions by the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority
Civil Aviation Authority
This is a list of national and supra-national civil aviation authorities.-See also:* Air route authority between the United States and the People's Republic of China* National Transportation Safety Board -External links:****...
) in South Africa.
Organisational Structure
Civair Helicopters CC operates the helicopterHelicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
and fixed wing charter services, the main business of the organisation. Civair Airways (Pty) Ltd was due to operate the web-based international budget airline.
Fleet
As at 2004, Civair utilises 6 helicopters, and 6 aeroplanes. It owns a Kingair 900 aeroplane which is valued at 50,000 Dollars. The remaining aircraft are privately owned as follows:Helicopters:
- 2 Bell Jet Ranger Helicopters
- 1 Hughes 500
- 2 Robinson R44
- 1 BO 105
Aircraft:
- 1 Strikemaster Jet
- 1 Cessna 207
- 1 Cessna 414
- 1 Pilatus PC12
- 1 Pilatus PC12
- 1 Beech Kingair 200
These aircraft are on a permanent sub-contract basis to the Civair.