In a period of under two years, Comair has become the second South African carrier to cease operations after low-cost carrier Mango ceased operations in July 2021. Covering approximately 40% of South Africa’s domestic air travel, Comair, operating as a franchisee under the name British Airways, is the parent company of low-cost carrier Kulua.com., which has also ceased operations.
The airline has fallen victim to a combination of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on air travel and a grounding earlier in March this year from an industry regulator. Comair’s existing lenders and investors — a group of wealthy individuals who bailed out the airline in 2020 – have been unwilling to inject further funds and all other efforts by the carrier’s administrators to secure further funding have failed.
Founded in 1943 and headquartered in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, Comair operated an all Boeing 737 fleet of 12 aircraft.
