While it has been in the cards for the last four years, Mango Airlines, the low-cost subsidiary of South African Airways, is finally shutting down after a business rescue plan by private investor Ubuntu Air failed.
Founded in 2006, Mango struggled to remain viable in the tough operating climate post-pandemic and ceased operating in July 2021. The airline entered the business rescue process—similar to Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection—that same month.
There have been attempts by different groups to revive the airline. However, a July circular published by the business rescue practitioners [BRPs] which has now been disclosed said, “the investor reverted that it had second thoughts about the transaction and would not be proceeding.”
“Part of the reason was that the delays have made scheduling of a resumption of operations unrealistic and the commitment of the other funding partner could not be secured,” the BRPs added.
At its height, Mango served more than two million passengers a year across its mainly domestic South African network plus an international service to Zanzibar. When the airline collapsed, Mango operated a handful of Boeing 737-800s.
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