1Time cuts planes, routes, warns on jobs

Cape Town - 1Time has cut two aircraft from its fleet and the airline’s CEO says there will have to be a number of staff cuts.

Blacky Komani, 1Time-CEO, says the numbers of staff cuts have not been finalized.

“We’re working with the unions to see what we can do. No-one wants staff cuts but we’re working with 8 planes instead of 10.”

The airline is currently under business rescue and is working on a rescue plan under the stewardship of Komani. The airline has been reported to be in debt of around R300m.

In April the airline reported a loss of R157m.

Komani says the creditors need to vote on the final business rescue plan and will do so within the next 14 days.

“The plans include the necessity for new aircraft,” Komani said.

1Time aircraft are among the oldest in commercial service in South Africa and known as fuel guzzlers of note.
With record oil prices, the airline is taking strain with the old aircraft.

Some of the routes 1Time has cut include all routes to and from Lanseria and flights to Mombasa have also been suspended.

“Zanzibar is still going strong as well as other routes that remain profitable.”

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