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Mango’s first flight from Lanseria airport to Port Elizabeth on Thursday was exciting – at least for first-time flyers like me.
On landing, we were met by a water salute with two water tankers spraying arcs of water over our plane – apparently this is the norm when an airliner operates out of the airport for the first time.
This set the tone for the launch event at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, organised by senior account manager at MSL Group Kedibone Motshedi.
Airports Company SA (Acsa) senior manager for corporate affairs Senzeni Ndebele did a sterling job as the master of ceremonies. MMC for economic development, tourism and agriculture in the Nelson Bay Municipality, councillor Marlon Daniels, said the new route was long overdue and would make commuting between Gauteng and Port Elizabeth easier. It had been difficult for businesspeople to drive from Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth.
Daniels said the airline would not only gain financially from the new route, but it would also create job opportunities in the Eastern Cape’s travel and tourism industry.
Mango Airlines acting CEO Marelize Labuschagne said they would operate two daily Boeing 737-800 flights between Port Elizabeth and Lanseria . Tickets will be sold at Game, Makro and Builders Warehouse.
Anele Qaba, executive director of economic development, tourism and agriculture in the municipality, spoke about the Airlift Project, which creates job opportunities for students in the tourism industry.
Matome Ramokgobedi, group manager of traffic development at Acsa, said they would now look at covering other routes like to the Kruger National Park.
After the formalities we were taken on a tour of Nelson Mandela Bay’s tourist attractions such as the Donkin Reserve, the Port Elizabeth Opera House and Algoa Bay.
Then it was time to take to the skies again as we headed back home on the 6pm flight.
The trip was short, but worth it.
