Low cost carriers - South Africa
South Africa's low cost carriers are Mango Airlines, Kulula Airlines, 1time Airline & Velvet Sky Airline (Nationwide Airlines and Interlink airline went bankrupt). Low cost carriers contrast with full service carriers. The key differentiating factor between low cost carriers (also known as no frills airlines) and full services carriers is whether the provision of meals is included in the airline ticket's price - low cost carriers usually provide food on board, but airline passengers have to pay for the food (an air hostess will walk down the aisle with food or drinks for which passengers can choose what they want and pay cash for it).
Percentage of South African market
Low-cost carriers operate some 30% of the flights taking place in South Africa (June 2007).
Are meals the only differentiating factor?
Full service airlines may also offer other services, such as the ability to cancel flights, frequent flier miles, business class seats and business class lounges (as well as first class).
Since when is Nationwide Airline a low cost carrier?
Nationwide Airline (which is now bankrupt) was initially a full service carrier, but early in 2007 Nationwide Airline decided to stop including the price of meals in the ticket price, for its economy class seats (see Nationwide airline stops providing meals).
Foreign low cost carriers
South Africa is by no means the only country with low cost carriers - low cost carriers in other countries include the USA's Jet Blue, Europe's RyanAir, India's Spicejet Airline and Firefly Airlines which operates Fokker F50s in Malaysia. In May 2007 Skybus Airlines is starting to offer $10 flights in the USA.