On 15 May, Danie Coetzee, founder of Standby Travel, approached parliament to request funding for a new budget airline for South Africa. His mission? To offer members budget flights around the country – provided they wait until 48 hours before the flight for confirmation.
What should differentiate Standby Travel from all the other budget airlines that have come and gone is that their focus on previously disadvantaged individuals is much stronger. These individuals, for example, are offered first pick to buy shares in the company.
Another selling point is the dedicated Standby aircraft that promises to fly to destinations not covered by other budget airlines – like Mthatha in the Eastern Cape.
The pilot project is currently underway and allows 1000 people to become members. The membership card includes 200 shares in the company, as well as a low-cost debit card at IMB.
In the future, a Standby Travel Card promises members discounted airtime and electricity and a loyalty programme. Full travel packages will be put together and will include budget transport from the taxi rank to the airport and on to the taxi rank on the other side.
Standby Travel is very focused on being mobile friendly. Passengers can book flights virtually and the seats left open on the plane 48 hours before the flight will be given to the Standby travellers, offered at a lower fare because of its last minute nature.
Standby Travel has been in existence since 2005, but the airline project was only launched in May this year. If he is successful, Danie Coetzee may supply those living in less privileged areas an affordable way to travel around the country, buy shares in a BBBEE company and receive many other essential benefits.
To learn more, visit Standby Travel’s website at www.standby.co.za or email [email protected].
The company is based in Brackenfell in the Western Cape and is currently run by Danie Coetzee, Executive Chairman, Johan Steenkamp, Executive Director and Piet Pieters, Company Secretary.
For more reports on Standby Travel, read the articles on GoTravel24 and SouthAfrica.to.
