Mango Airlines suspended

By Naadiya Adams

Mango clients woke up to canceled flights on Wednesday as Airport Company South Africa has suspended all Mango flights from flying out of its airports.

This follows an announcement last week that the airline was set to go into business rescue and would be grounding flights from May 1st. However, ACSA has come knocking early and they will not allow any Mango flights to operate until payment is made.

BREAKING: Mango flights have been suspended. The airline is not allowed to land nor take off from any ACSA airport until payment is made.

— Heidi Giokos (@HeidiGiokos) April 28, 2021

Some bereaved clients arrived at the airport for a 5 am flight only to learn that the flight had been canceled without any notice. As was the case with many guests who planned on flying out on Wednesday – they have now been left with a barrage of confusion while Mango fails to communicate with clients.

Agreed, had to get up at 03h00 due to Mango changing the schedule. Arrived at the airport no staff, all desks closed. Info boards stating Mango flights cancelled.

— Hennie Booysen (@hennie_booysen) April 28, 2021

Pathetic! To inconvenience such a large amount of people by failing to communicate the status of our flights is completely disrespectful. All alternative flights' prices are hugely inflated. Would be surprised if I receive a refund. Completely abusing the consumer. #mangoairlines

— Blake Springate (@blakespringate) April 28, 2021

You were there this morning?? I wanted to go in to enquire but if there's no one then no point in me going. I'm so confused and highly annoyed.

— Nomakhaya Ntshobane (@KhayaMnandi) April 28, 2021

Mango released a notice on their Twitter page two appease clients – but gave very little comfort in actually alleviating the problem whose flights were simply removed from the flight schedule without any notice.

Dear Guests

Mango Airlines apologises for this morning’s flight interruptions and delays.

We are currently working on a solution and will be back at the counters and hope to clear the delays as soon possible.

We apologise in advance for the inconvenience caused.

— Mango Airlines (@FlyMangoSA) April 28, 2021

According to EWN, the low-cost carrier said flights scheduled for Wednesday morning had not taken off as it was unable to process passengers’ information on the system at the check-in counters due to ACSA’s suspension but at this point they are not grounded.

The airline said it is trying to resolve the matter urgently, and has been in talks with the Public Enterprises Department as well as the Airports Company South Africa (Acsa).

News of a memo, by the company’s William Ndlovu emerged last week, where he admitted the company was going through a difficult time and that business rescue was on the cards.

“At the beginning of April 2021, we were informed that Mango will only receive owed funds in June 2021. This put Mango in a difficult situation – as it relates to further extension from the creditors who could not wait any longer to be paid.”

“The lessors then put an ultimatum to Mango that should they not receive their money by April 30, 2021, then all their aircraft must be grounded until such time that Mango receives the funds and is able to pay. We have been told by the shareholders that there will be no money received by Mango until June 2021.”