I'm a big fan of Santaco Airline - as far as I'm concerned the more competition in the South African Airline industry, the better, and the more fun in the industry the better too!

Santaco Airlines - Didn't Last Long

[This article was originally written on the 22nd September 2011; and has been updated following information provided by Cape Frisco on the 29th May 2017. CapeFrisco, was commissioned to build their website initially while the project was in it’s early phases, and registered the domain name on their behalf using their company's email address].

(This page was based on info on the www.santacoairlines.co.za website; being registered by Santaco Travel, we were trying to ascertain whether it is genuine, and at the time initially tried and failed to contact Santaco - which created suspicion - subsequently we phoned Santaco on 012-321-1043 at 09h36 on the 4th October 2012, and were told that www.santacoairlines.co.za is indeed the official website. it's been confirmed by Cape Frisco that their involvement was genuine and they were operating based on instructions. To be clear, we have no reason to suspect Cape Frisco or Santaco Airlines of any wrong-doing).

see screenshot1 & screentshot2

Santacoairlines.co.za registration info

Info

According to the Santaco Airline website, reservations launch date for Santaco Airlines is 1 October 2011, but there's already some info on their website (they don't say, but presumably these are for their proposed flights between Johannesburg and the Eastern Cape). It's not clear whether what they call the "full price" includes airport taxes.

It's a good innovation to see that they plan on charging less for standby flights than return flights. Airshare prices are if you buy 10 seats up front. They say that you'll have to join the Santaco Loyalty Club in order to purchase a ticket, which you'll do using your Santaco travel card. They also mention retail savings and medical savings. I cant wait till 1 October to see the details.

Become a Santaco shareholder

On 1 October 2011 Santaco Travel Ltd will be placing 40 million shares at R1 a share. Whether BEE or not, you can apply.

Test flight overbooked

In keeping with taxi industry lore, the first Santaco Airlines test flight was overbooked (which is also par for the course for the airline industry).

Mr President, do you love all your children equally?

I was pleased to see the President on Santaco Airline's opening flight (he didn't get bumped off when they were overbooked!). I'm sure that there must have been more important things on the go in the President's schedule when Velvet Sky launched their initial flight, as otherwise it means the President is favouring certain private sector entities over others.

Hotels

Stay in CPT from R250/night
Stay in Durban from R370/night
Stay in JHB from R250/night

Emirates are launching flights to Lusaka and Harare from 1 Feb 2012.

"Travelers need to exercise extra caution when withdrawing money from ATMs, especially when location makes a difference. The best place to use an ATM is in a secure location, such as the inside of a bank or hotel lobby (because many banks are surveilled by criminals, travelers should put away the money they withdraw before leaving the building). Many hotels abroad also will process cash advances from the traveler’s credit card account or exchange U.S. dollars into local currencies. Traveler’s checks also can reduce dependence on ATMs. The key to avoid using ATMs at risky times or in risky locations is to plan ahead and to have the correct amount of cash needed for the day’s or night’s activities." Stratfor