Velvet Sky (airline)
Encyclopedia
Velvet Sky is a low cost airline
based at the King Shaka International Airport
near Durban
, South Africa
. The airline launched in March 2011.
On 25 March 2011 technical problems with the airline's only aircraft caused a seven hour delay at Johannesburg. A replacement aircraft had to be chartered and a new crew had to be brought in as the Boeing 737, built in 1988, was grounded for repairs. The original crew could not continue the flight as they would have exceeded their duty hours limit. Customers have also complained about poor service relating to problems with the airline's website and telephone service.
In November 2011 the airline added a route between Durban and Cape Town direct as well as via Port Elizabeth when two more 737s were added to their fleet.
s leased from Aergo Capital
The aircraft are configured with 148 passenger seats in a single class cabin and a DC-9 (registration ZS-GAU) leased from Global Aviation.
Low-cost carrier
A low-cost carrier or low-cost airline is an airline that generally has lower fares and fewer comforts...
based at the King Shaka International Airport
King Shaka International Airport
King Shaka International Airport, also known as La Mercy Airport and abbreviated as KSIA, is the primary airport serving Durban, South Africa. Located at La Mercy, approximately north of the city centre of Durban, it opened its doors to passengers on May 1, 2010, just over a month before the...
near Durban
Durban
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
, 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 airline launched in March 2011.
History
Velvet Sky Aviation was established in 2009 as a subsidiary of Macdonald Holdings. Flight operations began on 22 March 2011. It is the only airline based in Durban and claims to be the first Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment compliant airline in South Africa.On 25 March 2011 technical problems with the airline's only aircraft caused a seven hour delay at Johannesburg. A replacement aircraft had to be chartered and a new crew had to be brought in as the Boeing 737, built in 1988, was grounded for repairs. The original crew could not continue the flight as they would have exceeded their duty hours limit. Customers have also complained about poor service relating to problems with the airline's website and telephone service.
Sale of airline
On 1 July 2011 McDonald Holdings announced that it had reached an agreement with Excalibur Aerospace to sell all its shares in the airline. The chairman of Excalibur Aerospace, Stephen Nthite, became the chairman of the airline as a consequence. Confirming the purchase of the airline, Excalibur Aerospace announced that they would retain Dhevan Pillay as CEO and Gary Webb as COO. In addition, the new owners announced plans to increase the fleet of aircraft in operation from August 2011.Route expansion
The airline plans to extend their routes into other countries in Southern Africa when their fleet is enlarged.In November 2011 the airline added a route between Durban and Cape Town direct as well as via Port Elizabeth when two more 737s were added to their fleet.
Destinations
Velvet Sky serves the following destinations :- South Africa
- Cape TownCape TownCape 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...
- Cape Town International AirportCape Town International AirportCape Town International Airport is the primary airport serving the city of Cape Town, and is the second busiest airport in South Africa and third busiest in Africa. Located approximately from the city centre, the airport was opened in 1954 to replace Cape Town's previous airport in the suburb of... - DurbanDurbanDurban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
- King Shaka International AirportKing Shaka International AirportKing Shaka International Airport, also known as La Mercy Airport and abbreviated as KSIA, is the primary airport serving Durban, South Africa. Located at La Mercy, approximately north of the city centre of Durban, it opened its doors to passengers on May 1, 2010, just over a month before the... - JohannesburgJohannesburgJohannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
- OR Tambo International Airport - PolokwanePolokwanePolokwane, meaning "Place of Safety",is a city in the Polokwane Local Municipality and the capital of the Limpopo province, South Africa. It is also often referred to by its former name, Pietersburg. Polokwane is a major urban centre, the biggest and most important north of Gauteng. The population...
- Polokwane International AirportPolokwane International AirportPolokwane International Airport, formerly known as Pietersburg International Airport or Gateway International Airport , is an airport serving the city of Polokwane in the South African province of Limpopo. The airport is located 5 km north of the city... - Port Elizabeth - Port Elizabeth AirportPort Elizabeth AirportPort Elizabeth Airport , formerly H. F. Verwoerd Airport, is an airport situated in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa. The airport is owned and operated by the Airports Company South Africa which also operates nine other airports around South Africa....
- Cape Town
Fleet
The fleet consists of three Boeing 737-300Boeing 737
The Boeing 737 is a short- to medium-range, twin-engine narrow-body jet airliner. Originally developed as a shorter, lower-cost twin-engine airliner derived from Boeing's 707 and 727, the 737 has developed into a family of nine passenger models with a capacity of 85 to 215 passengers...
s leased from Aergo Capital
Aergo Capital
Aergo Capital Limited is an aircraft operating, maintenance and leasing company based in Dublin, Ireland. The company was founded in 1999 by Denis O'Brien. In addition the the Dublin head office, the company has offices in Chicago, Johannesburg, Nairobi and Santiago.Aergo is ranked among the 20...
The aircraft are configured with 148 passenger seats in a single class cabin and a DC-9 (registration ZS-GAU) leased from Global Aviation.
| Aircraft | Total | Orders | Passengers (Economy) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing 737-300 | 3 | 0 | 148 |
| McDonnell Douglas DC-9 McDonnell Douglas DC-9 The McDonnell Douglas DC-9 is a twin-engine, single-aisle jet airliner. It was first manufactured in 1965 with its maiden flight later that year. The DC-9 was designed for frequent, short flights. The final DC-9 was delivered in October 1982.The DC-9 was followed in subsequent modified forms by... |
1 | 0 | 110 |
| Total | 4 | 0 |