As it stands, there is a good chance that 1time Airline might be flying by Christmas. Not under that name, but it would still be better than nothing.

It was reported yesterday that Fastjet, a subsidiary of Lonrho, had actually been in talks with 1time before the business rescue plan had failed and the airline had been place under provisional liquidation.

The problem is that the airline might be placed under final liquidation on December 11 – the date that’s been set for 1time’s return to court.

Says Ed Winter, Fastjet’s CEO:

If this transaction goes ahead … we would hope to get 1time flying again in time for the Christmas holiday period. Many customers have had their plans dashed by the cessation of 1time’s services and the subsequent huge increases in fares by competitors.

Thus far, Fastjet has raised about R226 million to establish itself in Africa. It plans to become the first pan-African low-cost carrier.

Aviwe Ndyamara, 1time’s provisional liquidator, said it might be possible to postpone the liquidation:

It is likely that we will apply to postpone the return date in order to keep the air service licences in order while we are still in negotiations. We could make an application to postpone the return date for a couple of months.

Continued Winter, about the proposed rebranding of 1time, should the transaction be concluded:

If we are to be a top, low-cost pan-African carrier, it would be unthinkable that we would be without a South African base. 1time is a great little airline and it just needs to be operated in a slightly different way with new equipment. We are working with the South African government who, like us, are completely committed to helping the airline industry [in the country] develop for the benefit of all the people.

[Source: BDLive]