Summary
- Federal Airlines has acquired six recent Cessna Grand Caravans to fulfill the increased demand for safari lodge transfers and game reserve travel in South Africa.
- The brand new aircraft will provide enhanced comfort, safety, and reliability for passengers, offering a superior travel experience.
- The investment of R350 million ($19 million) demonstrates Federal Airlines’ commitment to sustainability, passenger comfort, and overall safety, enabling them to proceed offering high-quality service to their customers.
South Africa’s leader in shuttle and charter services, Federal Airlines (FedAir), has acquired six brand-new Cessna Grand Caravan C208B aircraft to supply additional capability and luxury to passengers traveling to the country’s most famous safari lodges and game reserves.
The airline unveiled its recent fleet on October 31 at its hangar at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport (JNB). It is a R350 million ($19 million) investment that can help FedAir set a brand new standard within the safari travel experience and supply it with at the least ten years of secure and reliable passenger transport.
Response to tourism rebound
South Africa’s tourism sector has significantly recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic to the good thing about well-established firms providing air transport services. FedAir has seen a pointy increase in demand, with 2023 figures exceeding pre-pandemic levels. As such, the brand new aircraft will help the airline benefit from the pent-up demand while expanding its operations.
Photo: Federal Airlines
The Cessna 208 Caravan is understood for its dependability and efficiency and is operated by over 60 airlines and governments for passenger transport, freight services, and executive missions. With the brand new aircraft, FedAir will offer its guests and customers enhanced comfort, safety, fleet reliability, and an overall improved travel experience. Group Chairman Rashid Wally said,
“The Caravan C208B EX embodies our commitment to sustainability, passenger comfort, and overall safety. The brand new aircraft will enable us to proceed to supply our customers the best levels of service and reliability, and we’re grateful and encouraged by the continued support of our loyal industry partners and clients.”
The rise in demand also resulted in a capability shortage, as seen in South Africa’s business aviation sector. Through the pandemic, FedAir could only fly local tourists, but when borders opened, international tourists quickly returned. The vast majority of its customers are international, with the US, the UK, the Netherlands, and Germany taking the highest spots. The corporate expects to hold nearly 50,000 passengers by the tip of the 12 months.
Charter vs Shuttle configuration
The brand new turboprops are equipped with ultra-efficient Pratt & Whitney PT6A engines and have advanced flight avionics and control systems, in addition to a contemporary interior with comfortable leather seats. With out a pressurized cabin, the Grand Caravan typically flies at lower altitudes, allowing passengers to benefit from the stunning views of the South African safari during their lodge transfers.
Photo: Federal Airlines
FedAir’s Caravans include two cabin layout options: The VIP option for personal charters and the commuter option for shuttles. The VIP layout can take as much as eight passengers, with a generous portion of legroom and inward-facing seats, ideal for families or groups of friends traveling together. The shuttle layout has forward-facing seats and may take as much as 12 passengers. It has less legroom and aisle space but with the identical comfortable leather seats. Speaking at the revealing of the aircraft, Federal Airlines CEO Mark Hurst said;
“We’re proud to be on the forefront of the tourism travel industry, delivering air connectivity and exclusive shuttle and charter services whilst repeatedly striving to enhance the general travel experience for our guests and international travelers visiting South Africa from all corners of the globe.”
FedAir received the primary three Grand Caravans earlier this 12 months, with the opposite three coming just before the revealing. The deal was facilitated by Investec, which provided a seven-year aircraft-secured revolving credit facility advanced in two tranches. The airline now has a fleet of 17 aircraft, including 12 Cessna Caravan C208B, two Embraer 145s, two Pilatus PC12s, and one Beechcraft B1900D.
Enhanced customer support
FedAir provides shuttle services to South Africa’s most tasty Safari lodges and charters to customers’ destinations of alternative, an idea it revolutionized within the 90s. In recent times, the corporate has invested numerous money and time in improving its customer services and, through multiple partnerships, ensures a seamless travel experience.
Photo: Federal Airlines
International guests arriving at OR Tambo on various carriers like Emirates, Delta, or Qatar Airways are picked up from the terminals and transported to FedAir, which is simply a brief drive away. The lounge has been designed to emulate the safari experience and offers a wide selection of services, including baggage storage, showers, and complimentary food and beverages.
What are your thoughts on FedAir’s recent Grand Caravans? Have you ever ever flown to one in every of Africa’s game reserves? Please share your experiences within the comments!