Comair Putting the ease in tease

www..co.za Comair

Running an airline is normally a deadly serious business but this South African Putting the operator has made a name for itself by poking fun at just about everybody

written by: Alan Swaby ease in tease research by: Paul Bradley Comair

omair in could just well be the most unusual airline in the world. Operations director Martin C Louw doesn’t much care for the term Jekyll & Hyde but it’s hard to deny there is something of the schizophrenic about Comair. It’s not the country’s oldest airline— that distinction rests with the national flag carrier — but it is certainly the longest surviving private commercial flyer. Started in 1945, at the cessation of WWII by a couple of ex-fighter pilots, it had a low key presence for years until the market was deregulated in 1994. “Governments of all shades,” says Louw, “have always been very protective of SAA as it is considered much more than simply an airline. It is a symbol of the country’s status. That meant for years Comair had to feed on the crumbs left over from SAA’s table.” Some would argue that the scales are still heavily weighted in favour of the state airline. Since deregulation 12 airlines have been started and gone bust. In addition to Comair there is one other – 1time – but even that is struggling. While the private companies have had to rely purely on their own resources, SAA has a safety net in the form of funds from central government. At least, though, since deregulation, Comair has been free to compete on routes it was banned from for many years. The real turning point came in 1994 The Comair when the turbo prop fleet Comair had operations centre been obliged to stick with started to be ComairCOMAIR

ATM AND THE ENVIRONMENT In the aviation industry, it is glaringly obvious aspects such as airport and airspace capacity, that there is only so much sky. Balancing the and the projected needs of customers. increasing demands of air traffic with this finite But it’s a fine line, because while you have resource falls to Hennie Marais, executive to create capacity about 12 to 24 months in of air traffic management for Air Traffic and advance, you cannot create too much capacity Navigation Services (ATNS) because this would incur unnecessary costs,” “ATM is all about getting things done more explains Marais. efficiently and cost-effectively,” explains It is often the small things that make the Hennie Marais. “The sky is only so big, and biggest difference. “Sometimes you can make yet the need for air travel has increased over an operation more efficient without spending a the decades as economies around the world lot of money. Instead of building new runways have grown. Customers now have heightened or taxiways to reduce the amount of time expectations from the aviation industry, airplanes remain in a holding stack, a small such as more flights between London and piece of added tarmac in exactly the right , for example. ATM tries to spot might allow airplanes to make a quicker find better ways of doing things that not turn. If this reduces the time of each airplane only increase capacity but also keep costs on the ground by 10 or 15 seconds, by the affordable. It’s about making the most efficient end of the day you have an extra hour, which use of the airspace we have available.” means that 40 additional airplanes can be Given this long-term, strategic approach, accommodated.” Marais explains that everything that Air Traffic Marais proudly recounts how, on 5 December and Navigation Services (ATNS) does with 2011 during COP17, ATNS cut 35 minutes of regard to ATM is based on forecasts, taking flying time off an airplane flying from Dubai to into account economic growth (or decline), . “The airplane flew the same distance socioeconomic statistics and the resultant as always, but we implemented a totally anticipated demand. For ATNS, the first draft efficient flight trajectory. The result was that operations plan for the 2010 FIFA World Cup we saved approximately 4,500kg of CO2 was ready for evaluation in October 2008, emissions and over a ton of fuel.” and the planning for King Shaka International Proof of efficiency? Exactly! Airport took three years. “During the planning, we take into account www.atns.co.za

OCTOBER 2012 | 2 ComairCOMAIR replacedLorem with ipsum jet powered dolor tempor incididunt ut labore aircraft.sit amet, On the consectetur strength et dolore magna aliqua. Ut ofadipisicing that move, elit, Comair sed do enim ad minim veniam, eiusmodentered tempordiscussions incididunt with quis nostrud exercitation utBritish labore Airways et dolore to become magna ullamco laboris nisi ut aliqua.the internal Ut enim franchisee ad minim of aliquip ex ea commodo veniam,BA. Long haul quis routes nostrud in consequat. Duis aute irure exercitationand out of South ullamco Africa dolor in reprehenderit in laborisremained nisi the ut aliquip province ex voluptate velit esse cillum eaof British commodo Airways consequat. but dolore eu fugiat nulla DuisComair aute was irure able dolor toin pariatur. Excepteur sint reprehenderitoperate on internal in voluptate and This is a caption this is a caption Overviewoccaecat of Comair’s cupidatat training centre non velitregional esse routes cillum wearing dolore proident, sunt in culpa qui euits colours fugiat nulla and for pariatur. the first Excepteur time, giving sint isofficia only onedeserunt other mollitleft –anim a very id smallest laborum. scale occaecatSAA some cupidatat competition. non proident, sunt in Loremoperation ipsum in Denmark. dolor sit amet,To earn consectetur the right culpa“The qui role officia of BA franchisee,”deserunt mollit says anim Louw, id toadipisicing act as BA’s elit, representative sed do eiusmod we pay tempora small est“was laborum. not uncommon Lorem ipsum at the dolortime butsit amet,these franchiseincididunt feeut labore and the et doloremore successfulmagna aliqua. we consecteturdays, apart from adipisicing Comair, elit, we sed believe do eiusmod there Utare enimin expanding ad minim the veniam, passenger quis base, nostrud the

THE BOEING COMPANY MAXimizing today’s success for tomorrow aisle airplanes. As with today’s 737, tomorrow’s Boeing’s 737 MAX provides another chapter 737 MAX gives airlines the lowest operating for the world’s most successful commercial costs in the single-aisle segment with an airplane. The single-aisle airplane accounts for 8 percent advantage over its competitor. The roughly 64 percent of Africa’s airplane demand airplane’s fuel burn is expected to be 16 percent over the next 20 years. That’s why airplane lower than the competitor’s current offering manufacturers must get their future products and 4 percent lower than their future offering. right. That’s exactly what Boeing is doing by For emissions, when compared to a fleet of improving today’s Next-Generation 737 with 100 of today’s most fuel-efficient airplanes, tomorrow’s 737 MAX. As airlines look to update this new model will emit 277,000 fewer tons of fleets with the most fuel efficient airplanes CO2 and save nearly 175 million pounds of fuel to mitigate rising costs in fuel, the 737 MAX per year, that’s $85 million in cost savings! becomes the perfect airplane of the future. As Take this new efficiency coupled with the the name states, the newest member of the reliability and maintainability of today’s 737, 737 family will maximize efficiency, reliability, include the new Boeing Sky Interior, and you and comfort – it’s the total package for single- truly have an unbeatable airplane.

OCTOBER 2012 | 2 Comair Environmentfi rst Toulouse / Pixteur - © ATR. ATR. © Pixteur - / Toulouse DDB Nouveau MondeNouveau

Comair’s first brand new aircraft, a Boeing 737-800 in kulula.com livery

lower this fee becomes. Other than this, we “Having BA flights at our disposal,” have a free hand. We take responsibility says Louw, “also helps for all running costs but also take all with the other side of our business, giving profit.” us greater operational flexibility.” It’s a win-win situation. The other side of the business he refers has a South African presence that would to is kulula.com—the Mr Hyde to British otherwise be prohibitively expensive to Airways’ Dr Jekyll. “The 1990s saw a maintain and a greater chance of picking mushrooming of low cost air travel,” says up long haul passengers Louw, “and our view was by virtue of having routes that we could either watch timed to connect with some other organisation scheduled flights. Comair fill that slot in South www.atraircraft.com carries overseas passengers 1994 Africa or take the initiative

internally and regionally Airline industry ourselves.” Its unique aircraft profi tability and undivided customers’ and partners’ attention Lowest CO2 who might otherwise have So in 2001, kulula was ECO-FRIENDLINESS gas emissions make ATR the leader of regional air transport with more than two thirds deregulated in of the market share in 2011. travelled in some other way South Africa launched onto the main 50% less on ATR aircraft have the lowest greenhouse gas emissions, the best technological solutions, FUEL EFFICIENCY fuel consumption to their final destination. domestic routes linking optimal comfort designed by Giugiaro and unique commonality, whilst remaining the most ISO 14 001 cost-effi cient technology. INNOVATION certifi cation Now, rely on ATR’s experience and choose the best solution for short haul fl ights.

203x276-GB-environmt.indd 1 17/09/12 10:10 An African Welcome. Comair

An amazing experience. Johannesburg with Cape Last year, between the Town, Durban, Port traditional BA and the low Elizabeth and George in cost kulula, Comair had the Western Cape. It has revenue of R4.3 billion. to be remembered that at It operates two fleets of the time, the promise of Boeing 737s – 14An forAfrican BA Welcome. low cost travel under the and 10 for kulula An with amazing a experience. original advertising slogan total of 182 pilots and 420 “now everyone can fly” was cabin crew from a grand a truly novel proposition. workforce of 1800. At its Until then, crossing peak, the schedule contains the hundreds of miles Operations control 130 flights a day. between Johannesburg Low cost competition for and anywhere else by air had been the the dominant SAA would no doubt have B13208/3883

privilege of the middle classes. Now been sufficient to make kululaSafe, a success reliable service but into Africa Providing quality ground handling services to more than 20 ordinary people could swap the hours on the joint chief executive at the airlinestime operating decided 16 500 fl ights a month. BidAir Services is the most experienced A380 handler in Africa! a train or behind the wheel for a one to to make the brand utterly unforgettable byYour answer in Africa, no question!

B13208/3883 two hour flight. taking a most un-PC approach to marketing.

PROUDLY

Tel: +27 11 383 9420 • Fax: +27 11 823 6349 Safe, reliable service into Africa BidAir Services [email protected] Providing quality ground handling services to more than 20 BidAir Services is an integral member of the clients of ours. Having handled in excess airlines operating 16 500 fl ights a month. BidAir Services is the Bidvest Travel and Aviation Division of the of 1,200 A380 turnrounds we can most experienced A380 handler in Africa! Bidvest Group. Providing a full spectrum of quite proudly say that we are the most ground handling services, BidAir Services is experienced handler of this aircraft type Your answer in Africa, no question! in the unique position of being the only wholly on the African continent. South African ground handling company Due to the acquisition of Comair’s in- operating in the South African market. house ramp handling services provider our BidAir Services provides handling services association with Comair pre-dates 2008 and to more than 20 international and domestic we are honoured to play a significant role in airlines at Johannesburg, , the success achieved by the airline. Ramp Durban, , East London and and grooming services are provided to more George airports and since March 2008 has than 5,500 Comair flights a month and we handled in excess of 850,000 flights. are justifiably proud of the sustained high PROUDLY BidAir Services is proud of the fact that the levels of service given to the airline. first three airlines to operate scheduled A380 services to South Africa were all [email protected]

Tel: +27 11 383 9420 • Fax: +27 11 823 6349 [email protected] Comair

Boeing 737-3/4/500 simulator “At the front of house, we never take ourselves too seriously and we invite passengers to enjoy the joke with us”

“Kulula,” explains Louw, “is the Zulu fuselages are covered in cheeky captions word for ‘easy.’ We aim to inject this indicating which are the doors and where same feeling of ease into the way we run the black box (which they point out is the business. Behind the scenes, kulula actually orange) is located. Passengers are is run exactly like any other airline. In shown that the big cheese is on the left of our case, all pilots and 50 percent of the the cockpit and the other pilot with the cabin crew are interchangeable. But at the PA system is on the right. front of house, we never take ourselves Working as part of kulula’s cabin crew too seriously and we invite passengers to gives free rein to all wanna-be comedians. enjoy the joke with us.” The safety instructions they are obliged to Rather than striving for corporate recite are sent up mercilessly. Passengers grandeur in the planes’ livery, kulula’s who can’t figure out how to use the seatbelts, 10003606JB/E Together for the long haul Proud business partners since 1968

Through our long-standing business relationship, we’re extremely proud to support Comair as they grow from Comair strength to strength. Our unrivalled expertise means we’re capable of providing continued service excellence through our retirement fund solutions. We understand that the success of any business is largely a measure of its satisfi ed employees.

10003606JB/E That’s why we believe in the Old Mutual Superfund: Evergreen, offering optimal benefi ts tailored to meet the unique needs of both business owners and employees, with a strong focus on equipping employees for fi nancial empowerment through our Financial Wellbeing Programme. Let’s work together to take your business into the Together next century and beyond.

For more information on Old Mutual Superfund: Evergreen, for the long haul contact us on +27Old 21 509 1098. Mutu www.oldmutual.co.za/evergreenal do great things Corporate Licensed Financial Services Provider Proud business partners WE HAVE OVER 165 YEARS OF WISDOM TO INVEST IN YOU Old MutuContacta yourl Old helping Mutual Corporate Consultant Son +27o 21uth 509 1098 I www.oldmutual.co.za/evergreen Africans since 1968 achieve their retirement goals For over 40 years Old Mutual has partnered 10003606JB Old Mutual Evergreen 276X203.inddwith 1 Comair Limited to provide retirement2012/09/19 1:51 PM fund solutions for Comair employees, thereby enabling them to take ownership of their retirement planning and finances, creating the futures they desire for themselves and their families. Through Old Mutual’s Financial Wellbeing Programme (FWP), Comair employees are provided with ongoing and comprehensive financial health assessments, educational workshops, financial advice and support, helping them to make informed decisions regarding their financial futures. Modules Capt Martin Louw, Director include risk management, investment and Operations of Comair Limited retirement planning and more! As part of FWP, Comair employees also for example, are told that perhaps they have access to Member Support Services (MSS)—designed to help retirement shouldn’t be out alone. The instructions fund members make good financial and relating to the use of oxygen masks include investment decisions at certain life events, directions to stop screaming and pick a such as retirement and resignation. favourite child to look after. By partnering with SMEs through to large Pilots also get in on the act. They might corporate employers in South African industry, be heard to urge their plane to “whoa Through our long-standing business relationship, we’re extremely proud to support Comair as they grow from Old Mutual Corporate provides leading strength to strength. Our unrivalled expertise means we’re capable of providing continued service excellence there big fella; whoa!!” There are often through our retirement fund solutions. We understand that the success of any business is largely a measure of its solutions to help South Africans achieve their satisfi ed employees. financial goals. Our solutions include retirement jokes about landing in the wrong place investments, savings, risk management and and even VIPs aren’t immune. Puppets That’s why we believe in the Old Mutual Superfund: Evergreen, offering optimal benefi ts tailored to meet the unique needs of both business owners and employees, with a strong focus on equipping employees for fi nancial retirement fund administration products and of Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Tutu empowerment through our Financial Wellbeing Programme. Let’s work together to take your business into the services as well as actuarial and consulting have been enlisted to help advertise the next century and beyond. services. Through Old Mutual’s SuperFund, we airline while kulula took the Mickey out cater for all businesses with Easy Benefit Plan, For more information on Old Mutual Superfund: Evergreen, of the polygamous President Jacob Zuma contact us on +27 21 509 1098. www.oldmutual.co.za/evergreen Orion and Evergreen umbrella funds. For more information about Old Mutual by announcing a special offer for the 4th do great things Corporate and the Financial Wellbeing wife to travel free. Licensed Financial Services Provider Programme, contact us on 021509 1098. This kind of irreverent humour goes www.oldmutual.co.za/corporate down well with South Africans but kulula knows it is a difficult act to manage WE HAVE OVER 165 YEARS OF WISDOM TO INVEST IN YOU Contact your Old Mutual Corporate Consultant on +27 21 509 1098 I www.oldmutual.co.za/evergreen

10003606JB Old Mutual Evergreen 276X203.indd 1 2012/09/19 1:51 PM Comair

and get right. “We do get complaints from frequent Airports Company South Africa travellers,” admits Louw, Formed in 1993 to own and operate South Africa’s nine principal airports, Airports Company South Africa inherited “that they have heard all aged and basic infrastructure. Over the years, airport the lines too many times. infrastructure has been upgraded, but it was the recent five- So our crew will probably year, R17 billion expansion and upgrading programme that turn down the humour on propelled our airports to world-class status. The programme early morning business included the building of the greenfield KingS haka International Airport, which serves the Durban region. AIRPORTS ARE VITAL TO ECONOMIC GROWTH flights but lay it on thick for less frequently travelling In parallel with this investment was a strong focus on customer service and this has resulted in numerous awards Airports Company South Africa’s nine principal services underpin our efforts to drive economic leisure passengers.” airports play a key role in the broader transport development for all our people. from Airports Council International and SKYTRAX for the sector, so vital to the health of our economy. Of course, all this talk Over the years, Airports Company South Today, some 51 airlines fly into South Africa, up quality of passenger service. Airports Company South Africa has successfully transformed its airports from a mere 18 in 1993 when the company was of out of control planes Africa truly lives up to its vision of being a world-leading into effective global competitors through formed. Passenger traffic has also grown from infrastructure development and efficiencies, 12 million in 1993 to reach some 36 million and bumpy landings can airport business. and award-winning passenger service levels. passengers a year currently. This enables South Africa to link people efficiently only work if the airline www.airports.co.za with their business and leisure destinations, whilst at the same time facilitating trade around has absolute faith in the the globe. There is no doubt that our airport www.airports.co.za professionalism of its crew and the airworthiness of its aircraft. Here, Comair draws no distinction between the two brands. “Our safety record speaks for itself,” says Louw. Boeing Airbus Comair is a pilot oriented airline. It was started by pilots and even Captain Louw prefers swapping his administrative duties for the flight deck. All Comair’s pilots are trained in-house and in fact, Lasham the company runs quite a profitable side The established choice business offering its instructors and four www.atclasham.co.uk [email protected] flight simulators to more than 30 airlines throughout Africa and the East. The best of both worlds for aviation engineering and technical support ATC Lasham Limited Lasham Airfield Lasham GU34 5SP UK ATC Lasham is the UK’s leading independent maintenance provider for both Boeing T: +44 (0)1256 825100 and Airbus families of aircraft. 67 London Southend Airport Specialising in narrow bodied aircraft, with 10 bays across our two sites, we’ve been Southend-0n-Sea SS2 6YU UK the established choice for local customers and global brands alike since 1995. T: +44 (0)1702 541616 Number of years Comair has been trading Inside Comair’s operations centre Comair

LANSERIA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT The ability to awarded an open tender by the British rapidly handle Government to operate the St Helena arriving and international airport from 2015 for a period departing aircraft of 10 years. and passengers The high standard of Lanseria International is one of the core Airport’s emergency service department has values entrenched resulted in the department launching a service in the business model applied by management to provide training for emergency staff from at Lanseria International Airport. various airports in South Africa and other “We focus on the stringent application parts of Africa. For the last three years Lanseria of management controls,” says Lanseria International Airport’s fire department has won International Airport manager Gavin Sayce. a national fire fighting competition against “Safety and security is of paramount importance teams from municipalities with staff complements and for that reason we adhere meticulously to of more than 1200 people. tried and tested international operational safety One of the challenges being addressed by and security principles. We focus on training, on Lanseria International Airport is the provision certification and on rigorously regulating access of infrastructure to meet both current and to operational areas.” anticipated growth in demand. Lanseria International Airport’s ability to maintain international standards can be E: [email protected] gauged by the airport’s success in being www.lanseria.co.za

Boeing 737-3/4/500 and Boeing 737-200 simulators WE MAKE TRAVEL A PLEASURE! www.lanseria.co.za “With fuel accounting for 40 percent • Superb access and location - only 30 minutes • Fast and efficient boarding from Sandton Midrand and Centurion • No toll roads to Lanseria Airport • Completed new four-lane highway to Lanseria • Choice of airlines of our costs, it is cheaper now • Ample, secure parking close to terminal building • The preferred international VIP • Terminal with a modern restaurant, café and shops hub for South Africa • Business lounge for airline passengers - coffee, • Experience travel like you’ve for us to buy brand new, more magazines & newspapapers on us always wanted to fuel efficient planes”

For every one of Comair’s 67 years of example, has an R490 flight component and trading, it has made a profit although the R768 of charges. “We’ve been hit with a 70 past 12 months have been as difficult as they percent increase in airport fees,” says Louw, have ever been. The recession and global “and even air traffic control has increased difficulties, together with vastly increased its charges by 35 percent. Such way above charges, have produced a perfect storm. A inflation charges hit us much harder than breakdown of a typical BA fare to Cape Town the government owned SAA.” reveals the extent of fees and taxes that the To counter these and ever increasing airlines have to pay. An R1258 flight, for fuel costs, Comair is investing heavily Comair 20%

Cost saving per passenger with a Boeing 737-800

in new aircraft. “For many years,” says Louw, “company policy was to lease pre- used aircraft. But with fuel accounting for 40 percent of our costs, it is cheaper now for us to buy brand new, more fuel efficient planes than struggle on with the old. The new Boeing 737-800 gives us 20 percent cost saving per passenger. So we’ve ordered eight new replacements – four we’ll get this year and a further four over the next couple of years.” The final link in the efficiency chain has been to replace a mix of computer programs with Sabre – a single IT package to handle everything from reservations to operational matters. BA will continue with its own portal but the two can communicate and it is possible to book a BA flight on the Kulula website. It seems as though the government has no interest in whether or not private airlines survive but with investments on the scale that Comair has made, it’s clear that they intend to give SAA a run for its money for many years to come.

For more information about Comair visit: www.comair.co.za Comair’s training centre Comair 1 Marignane Drive Bonaero Park 1619 South Africa www.comair.co.za

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