President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation on Monday, December 28, during which he announced South Africa would be moving to Level 3 of the nationwide lockdown as a response to the increase in COVID-19 cases.
As you would expect, the new lockdown regulations, which includes a new curfew of 9pm to 6am, have forced airlines to adjust their schedules. This change has left many travellers in the dark as to what this means for booked flights.
Airlines around the country were blindsided by the reinstatement of Level three, leaving many scrambling to adjust their schedules. Below is everything we know about how airlines will operate under the new lockdown regulations.
Mango Airlines
Mango Airlines announced that from today, December 29, the newly imposed daily curfew from 9pm to 6am is likely to affect its flight schedule going forward. The airline also announced that arrangements are being made to assist in accommodating flights for December 29 as close to (if not per) originally planned flight times. This means guests should still arrive at the airport for their original flight times with their flight itinerary in tow for airport entry. Any travellers that have had their flight times adjusted will be notified via SMS from the airline.
Alternatively, visit www.flymango.com for its revised flights schedules.
Kulula Airlines
Kulula Airlines took to social media to announce the new curfew will have an impact on its flight schedule. Affected customers will be re-accommodated and contacted in due course via SMS and email.
Posted by kulula on Monday, December 28, 2020
Alternatively, click here to keep up to date on any updates made by Kulula throughout the day.
FlySafair
FlySafair has announced that All flights scheduled to depart before 7AM on December 29 will now only depart after 7AM, meaning your flight will still take place, but at a later time. New times will be communicated vis SMS and email. Most of this morning’s early flights have been delayed with departures taking place just after 7AM.
According to the FlySafair website, ‘Customers who were still unable to leave in time to make it to the airport due to the curfew are advised to arrive at the airport as soon as they can and to proceed to the ticket sales counter where our teams will assist you with changes as required. Alternatively please contact our contact centre for help with your changes if you are unable to make them online.’
Airlink
Much like the aforementioned Airlines, Airlink has a dedicated team working to establish the full extent of these restrictions and the implications this will have on its domestic and regional flights.
The airline did, however, announce that from 29 December, all flights scheduled for departure before 8am, will be delayed to a time shortly after 8am. All flight departures scheduled after 8am, are planned as per schedule. Airlink will keep travellers updated via its website and social media platforms.
Lift
Lift is currently reviewing its schedule and anyone impacted by a change will be notified directly via SMS on the mobile number they used to make the reservation. Its teams will make sure that all impacted travellers are accommodated for as best as possible.
The airline also announced that a number of protocols will be put in place in light of the new lockdown regulations. These include-
Picture Twitter/@zs_mk
