Santaco Airlines: A new South African airline launched by…a taxi operator

Commenting on how the new budget airline will improve life for black South Africans, Santaco secretary-general Philip Taaibosch said: “We are taking the black community which has been suffering for many years to the promised land.”

For more than half of South Africa’s population, catching a minibus taxi is the only affordable way to travel – and it often means putting their lives in the hands of drivers in poorly maintained vehicles that are often targeted by criminals.

But in an unlikely move, the country’s taxi operator – South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) – has expanded into the airline business, launching a budget carrier aimed at making air travel accessible to some of the poorest commuters.

Erratic driving, battered minibuses and violence have given South Africa's minibus taxi industry a bad reputation. Source: Reuters/Mike Hutchin

Santaco Airlines is the country’s first fully black-owned airline that will offer a door-to-door service for the black South Africans who make up the biggest proportion of commuters using minibus taxis.

While the taxi industry’s poor reputation has left many South Africans feeling nervous about the new airline venture, Santaco is trying to clean up its image. Unlike accident-prone minibus drivers, airline crews will be sourced from a charter company already operating out of Johannesburg and will provide aircraft, crew and licences -  addressing safety concerns.

The taxi council’s president, Jabulani Mthembu said the airline would bring dignity to those whose only experience of air travel has been seeing a plane in the sky.

Transport Minister Sbu Ndebele said Santaco airlines would help transform the image of the taxi industry and reduce travel time for people who rely on road transport.

Tickets will be sold on taxi ranks and costs of the shuttle to and from the airport will be included in the air fare.

The airline is also looking at providing flights to those without internet access or credit cards.

The new carrier plans to begin passenger flights from Lanseria Airport, north of Johannesburg to Bhisho, capital of the Eastern Cape province by 2012.

As well as expanding to other routes from the Eastern Cape, Santaco also plans to move into the shipping sector in its quest to better integrate South Africa’s transportation system.