Skywise operations to remain suspended

Grounded airline Skywise says its operations will remain suspended until further notice.

This is despite the Air Services Licensing Council (ASLC) finding last week that the domestic airline was safe and reliable to operate following an inspection that was taken to protect the interest of the public.

There was talk last week that the airline was expecting to resume flights soon‚ but on Wednesday morning it tweeted: “Skywise Airline hereby announce suspension of operations till further notice.”

Skywise was not immediately available for further comment and its website was down.

The Airports Company of South Africa (Acsa) suspended Skywise’s flights on December 2 due to unpaid airport charges for landing‚ take off‚ and parking of aircraft as well as related service charges.

 Skywise said it owed R4 million to Acsa and another R4 million to Air Traffic Navigation Services (ATNS).

The beleaguered airline suggested revised payment terms to Acsa but these were shot down by the airports company‚ which said the payment terms could “could have macro-economic effects on the organisation“.