ACSA Online Boarding Passes
ACSA (Airports Company of South Africa) have introduced new high-tech boarding passes which promise to completely abolish queues for check-ins, as seats will be assigned at the time of booking.
ACSA states that the system will allow passengers to make online or mobile flight bookings and print their own boarding passes.
International travellers will be able to use the new 2-D barcode which is now an international standard, as soon as approval is received from the Department of Home Affairs. This will bring South Africa in line with global practises.
Acsa group executive for airport operations Bongani Maseko said there were equally positive benefits for airlines, as the volume of people using their check-in desks would diminish, while giving them real-time monitoring of which passengers had already checked into the secure area.
The overall objective of the new system is to simplify the check-in process, which will make the boarding process a lot more flexible and convenient for air travellers.
ACSA has worked with industry bodies such as the Airlines Association of Southern Africa and the Board of Airline Representatives of South Africa to ensure a smooth and collaborative implementation.
The system will be rolled out in phases, and will eventually include airports such as OR Tambo, Cape Town International, Port Elizabeth and Bloemfontein International, and King Shaka in Durban.
Airlines would offer a 2-D barcode printing service at their check-in counters for passengers who did not have the ability to print their pre-booked boarding pass.
ACSA hopes that this new system will speed up the check-in process and make the whole experience of air travel more pleasant for all involved.
SAA stops flying Durban Cape Town
SAA stops Durban, Cape Town Flights
SAA has announced that they will be stopping their flights between Durban and Cape Town. The main reason provided is that they just can not compete with the budget airlines on this route, as it is extremely price sensitive. They will allow their budget airline, Mango, to focus on this route instead.
See the full story from news24
Airport shuttles in Cape Town
Cape Town shuttle services
Cape Town shuttle service is based in Bloubergrant and operates across the Cape peninsula both to and from Cape Town International Airport. Cape Town shuttle service offers a point-to-point shuttle service and with several vehicles in their fleet they are able to offer great transfer packages for both locals and tourists alike. Cape Town shuttle services also offer corporate packages at competitive rates to anywhere in the Western Cape. They have an online booking service that provides you with e-mail and SMS confirmations of bookings. Cape Town shuttle service is a family run business that ensures that their service is personal and friendly. Rates include: R190 Pinelands, R210 CBD, V&A Waterfront, R220 Blouberg, Durbanville, Table View, R230 Bantry Bay, Claremont, Green Point, Newlands, Rondebosch, Sea Point, R240 Big Bay, Camps Bay, Constantia, R250 Atlantic Beach, Melkbos, Bergvliet, R260 Tokai, R280 Hout Bay, Muizenberg, Somerset West, Stellenbosch, Strand, R290 Gordon’s Bay, R300 FIsh Hoek, R310 Simon’s Town, R320 Kommetjie, Noordhoek, R400 Paarl, R450 Franschoek, Wellington, R700 Hermanus, Langebaan.
Inflight shuttles:
Inflight shuttles offer competitive rates and outstanding service, the Cape Town shuttle service operates across the Western Cape both to and from Cape Town International Airport. Inflight shuttles strive to deliver a prompt, safe and efficient transport service, inflight shuttles offer transfers as far as Worcester, Saldanha and Hermanus. Rates range from R200-R700 depending on how far you want to go. Inflight shuttles offer a point-to-point transfer service foe more information visit www.inflightshuttles.co.za.
South Africa transfers:
Specializes in Business travel, luxury travel and tour and group travel, Their mission states that we want to provide the highest level of customer satisfaction with professionalism, friendliness and company commitment to the travel and tourism industry, they believe in having close contact with their clients whether it be before or during transfers and are members of SATSA and ASATA as well as associate members of a number of Southern Africa tourist bodies. South Africa Transfers work on a system that on confirmation of your booking you will receive a voucher, specifying all the details, a name and number for our local representative within your selected destination will be printed on the Transfer Voucher. Rates are competitive and range fro R250 to R750 depending on where you’re traveling to.
Mango Fever
Mango Fever
Mango has another exciting competition which is making traveling much more fun. If you book with Mango during the months of September and October four lucky winners stand the chance to win their own personalized plane (name and picture of the winners will be displayed on the side of the plane). The winners will also receive an entire month (between 15 November and 15 December 2010) of free travel on the routes that Mango travel (Cape Town, Johannesburg, Bloemfontein, and Durban). This prize is a once in life time opportunity to travel like a MOVIE STAR as it also includes:
- Access to BidAir Premier Lounges
- Additional 10kg checked-in baggage weight allowance
- Free on-board refreshments valued at R40
- Personalized seats on board
- R2000 cash for each winner (Courtesy of Tempest Car Hire)
- Complimentary Car hire over the period of travel (Courtesy of Tempest Car Hire)
- 1 weekend free accommodation at a bed and breakfast, for two nights for two guests ((Courtesy of Southern Sun)
All you have to do is book tickets with Mango airways between now and the end of October and you stand the chance to win this amazing prize.
Win a trip to Australia
Win a trip to Australia courtesy of Travelstart and Qantas
One lucky couple Stand the chance to WIN the trip of a lifetime to Australia. Now you’re asking WHAT? Did I read right? Yes it’s as easy as checking your Facebook Page, all you have to do is log on to Travelstart, and answer 4 questions over a period of four weeks about Australia, if you answer correctly you will be entered into a draw, where you and a plus one stand the chance to win return tickets from Johannesburg to an Australian city. This competition ends on Friday 24th September 2010, so get cracking, the lucky winner has a choice to fly to any one of these cities: Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide or Perth
Travel is limited to the following periods: Departures between:
• 1 September – 21 November 2010
• 1 February – 13 March 2011
• 28April – 13 June 2011
• 16 July – 11 September 2011 (Maximum stay up to 12 months)
Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour Flights
Flights to Cape Town for the Argus Cycle
Most airlines seem to have put their prices up knowing that the Argus tour is coming up. SAA have a special set up with Pick ‘n Pay to help get your bicycle down to Cape Town. You will need to go into PicknPay and you pay them R250. This is for the return trip for your bike. SAA also recommend that you get a special transport bag for your bike to ensure it gets down to Cape town safely and undamaged.
If you are leaving from Johannesburg (OR Tambo) then you need to check your bike in at terminal B in domestic arrivals Kerbside (there will be signs). If you are leaving from Durban, please check-in your bike at the Technical Hanger. At both airports, please have your bike checked in between the 6th-13th March to ensure it gets to Cape Town in time.
There will be directional signage at Cape Town airport, telling you where to collect your bike from. To collect your bike you will need your ID or passport AND your claim tag.
Here are some contact details incase you need further information:
The following important telephone numbers are reflected for your information:
Baggage Enquiries OR Tambo 083 308 4078
Baggage Enquiries Cape Town (021) 936-2202
Baggage Enquiries Durban Airport (031) 450-2217
Baggage Enquiries Port Elizabeth (041) 507-7227
Baggage Enquiries East London (043) 706-0216
SAA Fare Specials
SAA have just sent out their latest fare specials. SAA have flight specials probably once per month so it’s worth keeping an eye on them as there are often some great savings to be had. The latest ones include:
SAA Flights to Maputo
Although 1Time have just launched their own flights to Maputo, SAA remain the airline that offers the most flights there. Their special is for a flight from Johannesburg to Maputo for R2423*. Maputo has become a more a more popular destination, especially for South Africans, and if you havent been there it is highly recommended.
SAA Flights to Dubai
SAA are also offering fare specials to Dubai from Cape Town for R6098. Dubai is one of the most visited countries in the world by tourists and, even with the economic slump, they have continued to expand the massive city. It is very very hot though, so go prepared.
SAA Johannesburg to Sao Paulos Guarulhos International Airport Flights
SAA offer flights to Sao Paulo every day. The flight leaves OR Tambo at 10h30 and lands at 16h00 local time, same day. The return departs at 18h00 and arrives at 07h30. There will be additional flights operating during the Soccer World Cup.
Go to SAA directly to get these flight specials, but don’t forget to compare flights using our comparison tool (click button below) to make sure you get the best deals.
Kulula New Airplanes
Kulula has received some of its new airlines that it ordered some time back. The first delivery is a 737-800 and in typical Kulula style, they have gone a little ‘out the box’. The new plane has been dubbed the ‘Flying 101′ and it features a very unique paint job. It has been designed to point out various aspects of the airplane so that people can see where certain things are located. For example, there are labels for the Loo (which they call the mile high initiation chamber), the cargo load, the pilot’s seat etc. This is really fun and exciting from Kulula and shows their commitment to be South Africa’s light-hearted airline.
Airlines SWC Price Fixing
Price Fixing Flights for Soccer World Cup
The competitions Commission has launched an investigation into possible price fixing by airlines during the Soccer World Cup. South African Airways apparently broke its silence on the matter in December 2009 (in exchange for leniency of course), and the situation includes BA, SA Airlink, Mango, 1Time and SAA. If this is true then all of these airlines will face a steep fine and reprimand for attempting to do this. However, will they be forced to bring down prices to a more realistic level, or just pay the fine, but keep prices sky high (sometimes as much as 5x the standard cost. There is nothing wrong with increasing the fares during peak travel periods, but the increases we are seeing for the SWC are obscene.
ACSA tariff increase denied
ACSA, like Eskom, recently applied for a massive tarrif increase of around 132% to airport tax. This increase was required, said ACSA, due to their need to payback their large expansion and maintenance plans and to insure that they are able to give a good return to their shareholder(s).
The airlines have been up in arms about the proposed increase as they have stated, rightly so, that it would have a large negative impact of passenger numbers. Although they agree and are greatfull for the improvements and upgrades that have taken place, and are taking place, at airports around the country, there have been a few contentious issues. The main one relates to the new La Mercy airport in Durban that ACSA have insisted on building. Not only was the current airport sufficient for the next 15 years, but the original cost estimates for it have shot up to almost R7 billion. Along with this, ACSA have stated that they will not be letting other airlines buy and fly from the old Durban airport as they “don’t want the competition”.
However, for some good news, the regulating committee of ACSA has denied the application for the 132% increase. ACSA are re-applying though…so lets just wait and see what they have up their sleeve.