Comair broke and grounded again

[wesheltonj]

Johannesburg, 31 May, 20h00] Comair has announced that regrettably it is obliged to suspend all British Airways (operated by Comair) and kulula.com flights from Tuesday evening 31 May 2022 pending successfully securing additional funding. The company’s business rescue practitioners (BRPs) have advised that the process to raise the necessary capital is in progress and that there is reason to believe such funding may be secured. Once received, the airline will be able to recommence operations, but regrettably under these circumstances, the practitioners have no choice but to voluntarily suspend all scheduled flights until the funding is confirmed.

British Airways (operated by Comair) and kulula.com ticket sales have also been suspended with immediate effect. “We deeply regret the inconvenience this suspension will cause our customers. We did everything we could to avoid it. Comair, the BRPs and the lenders are working all out to get the funding in place so that we can resume our normal flight schedule as soon as possible,” says Comair CEO, Glenn Orsmond.

“Comair is inherently a viable business. We have the two of the best airline brands in the country. We are on track to carry over 4 million passengers this year and generate R5.3 billion in revenue. We have excellent staff, a modern fleet, good sales and distribution channels and low operating costs, which is why we believe the funding will be secured.” For customers on British Airways (operated by Comair) flights, British Airways’ booking with confidence policy will apply. Details can be found here. Customers may also contact the Contact Centre on BAContactCentre@comair.co.za.

kulula.com customers on suspended flights have the option of a Travel Bank credit or can request a full refund of their ticket value. The Travel Bank credit can be used by the passenger or someone else. Customers wanting the credit can e-mail MNContactCentre@comair.co.za and those wishing to apply for a refund can e-mail .

 

[Denvir Tire]

I have flights with Comair in two weeks...

 

[dailordasailor]

Denvir - *had...

 

[Denvir Tire]

That's gonna leave a mark

 

[Mike B.]

I almost booked them going to Victoria falls. Technically it was BA but I didn't trust any flight operated by Comair because I wasn't sure that they'd be around after all the craziness of the grounding by the government for safety issues. I just hope FastJet doesn't give me any problems and I can get to Zim next week.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Ouch.

 

[rookhawk]

I feel like these scenarios keep playing out on this site over and over again. A wise friend once told me "play stupid games, win stupid prizes".

Changing carriers is a terrible game. The subordinate carrier doesn't have to honor the Montreal Convention with regards to check-through of your guns, even if on the same ticket. Nor do they have to honor the most-prevailing carrier's gun policies or baggage weight rules. The regional carrier thinks of you and your relationship as an ass in a seat for which they charge $200-$300. Adding in the weight of your gear, they really couldn't care less if things work out as you're a losing-money customer as a safari hunter.

To the point of the original post up here, the puddle jumper carriers are also dropping like flys. Why put your hunt at risk by using these carriers that are barely solvent and change their terms and conditions on a moments notice? Mango? SAA Airlink? Air Zimbabwe? Air Namibia? Comair? Kulula?

Third, avoid the woke. The big carriers that are liberal-woke are changing their policies every day to Africa in several risky ways. One is their weapons policies as cargo. Two is their weapons policies related to sanctions.

Fourth, avoid countries and airports that are also woke. Just five to ten years ago everyone thought nothing of connecting through France (DeGaul), Amsterdam/KLM, Frankfort/Lufthansa. or American/British Air codeshares connecting through London Heathrow. The gun rules are in flux, risky, and should be avoided.

Fifth, always bet on the carriers that are backed by the Arab princes. As a point of national pride, Emirates and Qatari are not going to be allowed to go broke at the last minute by canceling all flights. These are seriously wealthy monarchies that are not going to let their reputations be destroyed to their free trade zones by allowing their means of import/export/transport to be diminished by a solvency crisis.

After all the horror stories on this site and countless "this works flawlessly" testimonials, people still take great risks while saving no dollars over viable alternatives.

Drive to a major US city. Get on flight that connects at a world hub like Dubai or Doha, and land directly into Jo'Burg, Dar Es Salaam, or Harare. Get your operator to pick you up and do your final travel over land by truck or pay for a charter aircraft if you've got the money to do so. Either way, panic over gun permits, weapons not checking through, missed connections, insolvency, and changing airline policies are largely a thing of the past.

 

[375Fox]

I feel like these scenarios keep playing out on this site over and over again. A wise friend once told me "play stupid games, win stupid prizes".

Changing carriers is a terrible game. The subordinate carrier doesn't have to honor the Montreal Convention with regards to check-through of your guns, even if on the same ticket. Nor do they have to honor the most-prevailing carrier's gun policies or baggage weight rules. The regional carrier thinks of you and your relationship as an ass in a seat for which they charge $200-$300. Adding in the weight of your gear, they really couldn't care less if things work out as you're a losing-money customer as a safari hunter.

To the point of the original post up here, the puddle jumper carriers are also dropping like flys. Why put your hunt at risk by using these carriers that are barely solvent and change their terms and conditions on a moments notice? Mango? SAA Airlink? Air Zimbabwe? Air Namibia? Comair? Kulula?

Third, avoid the woke. The big carriers that are liberal-woke are changing their policies every day to Africa in several risky ways. One is their weapons policies as cargo. Two is their weapons policies related to sanctions.

Fourth, avoid countries and airports that are also woke. Just five to ten years ago everyone thought nothing of connecting through France (DeGaul), Amsterdam/KLM, Frankfort/Lufthansa. or American/British Air codeshares connecting through London Heathrow. The gun rules are in flux, risky, and should be avoided.

Fifth, always bet on the carriers that are backed by the Arab princes. As a point of national pride, Emirates and Qatari are not going to be allowed to go broke at the last minute by canceling all flights. These are seriously wealthy monarchies that are not going to let their reputations be destroyed to their free trade zones by allowing their means of import/export/transport to be diminished by a solvency crisis.

After all the horror stories on this site and countless "this works flawlessly" testimonials, people still take great risks while saving no dollars over viable alternatives.

Drive to a major US city. Get on flight that connects at a world hub like Dubai or Doha, and land directly into Jo'Burg, Dar Es Salaam, or Harare. Get your operator to pick you up and do your final travel over land by truck or pay for a charter aircraft if you've got the money to do so. Either way, panic over gun permits, weapons not checking through, missed connections, insolvency, and changing airline policies are largely a thing of the past.

You have unique travel advice at times, but much more practical for nearly all to simply use a good hunting travel agent and allow them to come up with solutions. For this situation to follow your advice and use say Emirates, I’d drive 7 hours to JFK, 6-12 hour road transfer inside country each way, 7 hours return home from JFK is not practical. I have on many trips used multiple carriers to reach final destination without major issue. The amount of time lost on just one trip to follow your suggestion likely exceeds the total amount of time I’ve lost dealing with certain issues that arose. The panic/anxiety people encounter traveling and traveling with guns is an even better reason to use travel agent to rationally look at problem and come up with a solution. Also, African roads are not safe places to drive. One trip to South Africa, my return to airport was blocked most of day by a township deciding to burn tires in the road. Other countries such as Zimbabwe are well known for driving conditions particularly at night. Road travel isn’t a sure thing, better as a backup plan.

 

[rookhawk]

If you’re 7 hours from JFK you’re closer to a Qatari or Emirates airport.

I’d never fly with a gun via JFK. You’re delayed and have to leave the terminal, you’re a felon.

 

[375Fox]

If you’re 7 hours from JFK you’re closer to a Qatari or Emirates airport.

I’d never fly with a gun via JFK. You’re delayed and have to leave the terminal, you’re a felon.

You would need to tell me which airport from NW PA. To start at Pittsburgh or Cleveland, you will need to use a partner airline. Flying on single airline to final destination is not practical in all areas. I’m assuming my situation would not be unique. I have no interest in taking a firearm through JFK either.

 

[rookhawk]

You would need to tell me which airport from NW PA. To start at Pittsburgh or Cleveland, you will need to use a partner airline. Flying on single airline to final destination is not practical in all areas. I’m assuming my situation would not be unique. I have no interest in taking a firearm through JFK either.

You’re in a bit of a pickle. Philly, DC, and Chicago are your closest international airports with good service to Africa.

 

[Denvir Tire]

It's official, Comair is being liquidated.
Lufthansa has rebooked us onto Airlink for the in-country flights.
This after we panicked booked a flight with Safair, Jo-burg to PE for $80US.....

 

[rookhawk]

Is SAA Airlink allowing guns at present?

Jo’Burg to Pretoria, isn’t that like 6-8 hours by ground service?

 

[Denvir Tire]

Jo-Berg to Port Elizabeth, drive time 11 hours or so

I'm not bringing rifles so that's now an issue for us

 

[Denvir Tire]

not an issue