Kulula-founder Gidon Novick will launch a new airline later in 2020 and has invited South Africans to name the new carrier.<\/p>\n
The airline, which has drawn inspiration from Uber, is a partnership between Novick and Global Aviation, a leading operator of Airbus A320 aircraft. The airline\u2019s first flight between Johannesburg and Cape Town, the 12th busiest route in the world, is planned for December 2020.<\/p>\n
“The pandemic has created a unique opportunity to start an airline that is not only dramatically more efficient but also inventive and creative by tapping into the unique talent that our country offers,” said Novick.<\/p>\n
He added founding team combines industry experience with fresh thinkers from the technology and hospitality sectors.<\/p>\n
“Similar to the way Uber has transformed the point-to-point mobility, there is a huge opportunity for the airline industry to rethink its relationship with passengers and be more \u2018customer obsessed\u2019.<\/p>\n
“This can be achieved by bringing together industry experts, technology and a fresh perspective and strategic approaches from other sectors.\u201d says Jonathan Ayache, an ex-Uber Africa executive who is also involved in the project.<\/p>\n
Like Uber\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Novick told MyBroadband<\/a> <\/strong>that he is upbeat about the opportunity which the pandemic brings to re-look at traditional business models and find how things can be done differently.<\/p>\n He said the pandemic has created the prospect of affordably acquiring the key inputs to start an airline \u2013 aircraft, facilities, and skilled employees. A key focus for Novick is on efficiency and cutting costs, which include leasing aircraft at dramatically reduced rates.<\/p>\n He added that there are high-quality maintenance facilities available which are far cheaper than what they were a few months ago. Through experience he found that airlines get less efficient the larger they get, so starting off small gives a new airline a big advantage.<\/p>\n Another focus for Novick is flexibility. \u201cWith the market uncertainty, a flexible model which can adjust to market demand is critical,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n He told MyBroadband technology will play a very important role to increase efficiency. \u201cTechnology has the ability to facilitate a seamless, efficient, and engaging relationship with our future customers,\u201d Novick said.<\/p>\n The new airline will be fully funded through private capital with no debt. He said his business experience showed him the incredible damage debt can do to a business, especially in a volatile industry like air travel.<\/p>\n \u201cStaying away from debt is absolutely key to the success of launching a new low-cost airline,\u201d he said. To keep costs down they will launch with used aircraft which are either purchased outright or leased.<\/p>\n These will mainly be narrow-body, single-aisle aircraft with around 180 seats, like the Boeing 737 or Airbus A320. He explained local airfares are much lower than in many developed countries which require a local airline to adjust their business model. This includes using older aircraft.<\/p>\n Naming the new airline\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Novick has invited all South Africans ‘to put their creativity to the test’ and suggest a name for the new carrier.<\/p>\n Without being too prescriptive the new team are looking for a name that is unique, aspirational, and cool. Ideally it should be easy to say and memorable.<\/p>\n Entries can be posted on the website brandnewairline.co.za<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and the winner will be announced within the next two weeks. Novick said that the person who names the airline will win a year\u2019s free travel pass.<\/p>\n
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