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Fancy paying R70 a flight?

Skybus airline, based in Ohio in the USA, is on the cutting edge of low cost carriers; offering tickets for $10 (R70) on all its flights (at least ten per flight). Skybus airline commences flights on the 22nd May. To top all of that Skybus seems to have a bit of Kulula's cheeky sense of humour.

How does this airline manage to charge such fees and still turn a profit (and herein lies the lessons for South Africa's low cost carriers)?

  • Advertising revenue is earned from advertising both on the outside and the inside of their planes.

  • There is no call centre, all flight bookings are made via the internet.

  • You don't pay for other people's luggage. You are charged $5 for each item of luggage you check in ($50 for a third piece of luggage).

  • You are not allowed to bring food onto the plane (this one just doesn't seem right!)

  • No pre-booked seating (although you can pay extra to get to stand at the front of the queue)

  • In-flight entertainment system - bring a book!

The future is already here, it's just not evenly spread out - we at SouthAfrica.TO predict that some of Skybus's innovation will (eventually!) be taken up by South Africa's low cost carriers. Watch out Mango Airlines, 1time airline, Kulula Airline & Nationwide Airline - if Skybus comes to South Africa you're toast!

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