South African Airline Nationwide Ceases Flights

The low-cost airline Nationwide that operates from South Africa has ceased flights. This is due to financial problems that have come from revenue loss after having to ground their fleet last year, as well as the rise of fuel costs recently.

Nationwide had to ground their fleet of airliners in November 2006 after an egine fell off an aircraft as it took off from the main airport in Cape Town. The South African Civil Aviation Authority ordered that the fleet be grounded whilst the inspections took place.

Nationwide have said that they had begun to gradually recover after the issues in November, however the rise in fuel charges (estimated by the airline to be 30%) coupled with a decrease in passenger numbers has led to the action that has had to be taken by the airline.

Nationwide was founded in 1991 and operates domestic flights within South Africa, as well as services to London Gatwick. Passenger number are over 1 million per year and the fleet consists of 17 aircraft.

Published by: Jon Vickery