Skywise grounded

Embattled low-cost airline Skywise has been suspended from operating at Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) airports with effect from Wednesday, due to unpaid airport charges for landing, take off, parking of aircraft and related service charges.

This is according to a statement issued by Acsa. The suspension will be lifted as soon as Skywise Airline has made appropriate payments in accordance with the Airport Charges Regulations.

Skywise will issue a statement on Wednesday. Sources within the airline industry expect the statement to be indicative of the airline’s future operations.

Passenger Laura Tlale said on Facebook on Wednesday morning that her Skywise flight from Cape Town to Johannesburg was cancelled and indicated that passengers were told Skywise would not fly for the rest of the week.

Skywise has stopped taking bookings and flights on its website show the message ‘Sold out’.

Another passenger sent Moneyweb a picture of a notice, apparently from Skywise management, saying Airports Company of South Africa (Acsa) and Air Traffic Navigation Services (ATNS) have grounded the airline.

Moneyweb has not yet been able to confirm this information, but was told of a meeting on Tuesday night between Cape Town airport management and the directors of Skywise.

Moneyweb has repeatedly reported about Skywise flights being delayed and cancelled and the Air Services Licensing Council has subpoenaed Skywise to appear before it on December 9 to account for these occurrences.

Passengers who have been subjected to such cancellations have been complaining that they are not getting their refunds within 21 days, as promised by the airline.

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