Travel For Fun

1time was born out of a unique opportunity to launch South Africa’s first genuine low-fare airline. At that time, it appeared on the surface as if there were already an airline operating in this market but, in order to qualify as an authentic and sustainable low-fare airline, a company should be set up from scratch as a low-fare model.

1time offers consumers a guarantee that its advertised airfares will be offered on every seat, every flight, and every day – irrespective of when the reservation is made.

1Time Travel Routes Include:

Cape Town to Jhb Cape Town to Durban Cape Town to East London Cape Town to Port Elizabeth Jhb – George Jhb to Cape Town Jhb to Durban Jhb to East London Jhb to Port Elizabeth

1time is extremely proud of its fleet of aircraft. They currently operate a single type of aircraft to ensure their pilots, cabin attendants and maintenance crews are specialist on their family of aircraft. They operate six MD80 and four DC9 jet aircraft and they fly up to eight hours a day. The first of six MD80 series 157-seater jet aircraft arrived in mid November 2004 and went into service in December 2004. The MD80 is a newer generation craft within the family of DC9 aircraft. Their high utilisation is one of the secrets to consistently offering the lowest fares.

The passenger cabins of their aircraft are designed for optimum passenger comfort and convenience. Economy class seating is five across – an arrangement consistently preferred in passenger surveys to the six across seating in other single-aisle airliners. The DC9, with 110 economy class seats, and the MD82 & MD83, with 157 seats – in both cases all leather – provide what they believe to be the best legroom on the South African domestic market for an economy class product.

1time Holdings – a diversified aviation group – was listed on the Johannesburg Altex Stock Exchangeon the–th of August 2007. The company has evolved in leaps and bounds since it’s inception in 2004 and is the 100% shareholder in 1time Airline, 1time Charters, Aeronexus Technical and Aeronexus Corporate. For more information on the holding company and how it is structured, please visit www.1timeholdings.co.za 1time’s story is a story of courage of 4 men and then a 5th who believed in them, and all this started with a dream which realised into a reality.

Once in a while the time is just right for a good idea to manifest as a reality. The environment is ripe for a new venture to seed, take root and grow. Enterprising people of vision, if they are alert and hungry, see this potential. They act with courage and ingenuity, plant the seed, nurture it and grow it into an enterprise over which other people exclaim: “Why didn’t I think of that first?” This is what it was like for Gavin Harrison, Glenn Orsmond, Rodney James, Sven Petersen and Michael Kaminski – five entrepreneurial men with a wealth of experience in the aviation industry and a hunger to do things their way: with no nonsense integrity.

In 2003, the South African Rand was stronger than it had been for a long time; aircraft acquisition costs were still low in the aftermath of the 9/11 terror attacks; and research proved that low fare, no frills, short haul airlines had been the only successful business model for a number of years, while premium class short haul and domestic airlines were fighting for survival.

South Africa’s domestic airline market carried 7.5 million passengers each year. This market was clearly over-traded with high cost seats and therefore, high airfares. The time for a sustainable, real low fare airline could not have been better. In short, South Africa’s first real domestic low fare airline was beckoning to be born.

The perfect foundation was already in place. Through their aviation holding company, Afrisource Holdings, the four entrepreneurs owned Aeronexus – an aviation company that offers aircraft management, crewing and aircraft maintenance services. They realised that this would be an ideal launch pad for setting up an airline.

The team got to work and produced a business plan, that critical document necessary to raise the balance of the funding required to realise their dream. Businessmen were approached and the 50% balance of funding was very quickly taken up. Once again, perfection struck as Mogwele Investments, a black empowerment partner, took 20%, and an IT group the remaining 30%. Afrisource Holdings retained 50%. The business model was thus strengthened by diversity and IT skills – aspects without which it is virtually impossible for a modern business to succeed. The availability of key airline executives and managers, with relevant experience, to set up and run the airline, was a huge bonus.

On Thursday, 22 January 2004, 1time Airline opened for ticket sales through the Internet, its service centre, and its ticket sales counters at Johannesburg and Cape Town International Airports. 1time proudly commenced operations on Wednesday, 25 February 2004, with three return flights a day on the Johannesburg / Cape Town route. In the time since, the airline has grown from strength to strength, expanding on their initial frequency and incorporating more and more destinations.

The name 1time, is a reflection of the South African soul of the company. In South Africa, the phrase “one time!” is a colloquialism meaning “for real!

Susan is the marketing director for Saflights.co.za. South Arica′s leading Flight comparison portal which includes all major airlines including 1Time