One Time Airline (correctly spelt as "1Time Airline") is a low cost airline that offered domestic flights in South Africa between 2004 and 2012 before anti-competitive behaviour by state-owned airways SAA and Mango, in particular, led to One Time going under. A recently announced should see the cheap airline operator making a comeback in 2014 All rights reserved.
One Time ceased operations and filed for liquidation on 22 August 2012, much to the dismay of South African air travellers. Now, in 2013, the founders of One Time have announced that they have successful acquired Global Airways, a British Virgin Islands based operator previously owned by Global Aviation Holdings and Pak Africa Trade Zone. A deal was closed on 4 December 2013 to acquire 100% of the issued share capital of Global Airways.
According to One Time, Global Airways has a net asset value in excess of R30 million.
Pak Africa is funded by high net worth individuals with business interests in Pakistan and Dubai. Global Aviation is one of the biggest commercial charter operators serving the US military, and is also a key player in the international passenger air travel and cargo transport space.
Upon acquisition, One Time became the holding company for Pak Aviation Africa, as well as its subsidiary, One Time Zimbabwe.
According to a statement released by One Time, this restructure will enable the company to start operating as a low cost South African carrier again, with very healthy implications for competition in the domestic airfare market.
One Time previously operated flights to Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban as focus routes, while also flying to East London and George, Zanzibar and Zimbabwe as secondary destinations. It is anticipated that it will one again service the primary routes, however, they airline may well have regional aspirations, if the restructure is anything to go by.
Keep an eye on SA Airlines for the latest news on One Time's comeback and for news on when One Time bookings and ticket sales will start again. The airline plans to relaunch as Skywise Airlines. In the interim, you can book cheap SA flights using the above Travelstart flight booking form.