South African airline Comair on July 2 announced it was suspending all scheduled Kulula and British Airways (BA) flights operated by Comair for three weeks.
Flights will be suspended from Monday, July 5 and Comair plans to restart services from July 30, subject to regulations being eased and Covid-19 infection rates, particularly in Gauteng, being contained.
This follows the country's move to an adjusted Level 4 lockdown and the prohibition on all non-essential travel in and out of Gauteng as from June 28.
Kulula customers who hold valid tickets booked for travel from June 28 to July 29 will be able use their tickets within 12 months from first date of travel without any penalty. No change of booking fee or fare difference will be charged.
"The British Airways Book with Confidence policy will apply to all customers holding a valid ticket with British Airways for flights operated by Comair.
“This was a difficult decision, but we believe under the circumstances is the right course of action for our loyal customers and employees,” Comair CEO Glenn Orsmond says.
Comair business rescue practitioner Richard Ferguson describes the temporary suspension as a responsible step towards ensuring passenger and staff health and safety, and which has been taken in light of the prohibition on leisure travel to and from Gauteng, limited business and leisure travel elsewhere in the country, and no connecting traffic from international carriers.