Civair

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Civair is an airline and helicopter charter operator based in Cape Town, South Africa. The company's core business is the operation of helicopter charters.

In 2004 an attempt was made at starting up a low cost, web based airline flying between Cape Town and London Stansted, serving the route three times a week with a Boeing 747.

In December 2004 about 7400 passengers were left out-of-pocket when it transpired that Civair did not have an aircraft available for the flights, and neither did it have the funding to offer any alternatives. Amidst the public relations disaster that followed, partial refunds were given to passengers who purchased tickets on their website http://www.civair.com, their only ticket outlet. None of the passengers were ever officially notified of the cancellations.

Civair received a further blow when it was discovered that the Proudly South African logo (a South African business standards association) was being ilegally used, with Civair not being a member.

In 2005 the company's director Andy Cluver,together with Kobus Nell, the orginisations accountant, were called to account for Civair's actions by the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) in South Africa.

Future plans include another attempt at cracking the international market with flights to Athens and Spain being planned. Flights are planned to be launched mid 2006.

1 Code Data
2 History
3 Organisational Structure
4 Aircraft
5 External links

[edit] Code Data

IATA Code: 2I
ICAO Code: CIW
Callsign: CIVFLIGHT

[edit] History

Since 1989 Civair has operated helicopter and business charter services. The proposed international operator was launched in March 2004.

[edit] Organisational Structure

Civair Helicopters CC operates the helicopter and fixed wing charter services, the main business of the organisation.

Civair Airways (Pty) Ltd was due to operate the web-based international budget airline.

[edit] Aircraft

As at 2004, Civair utilises 6 helicopters, and 6 aeroplanes.

It owns a Kingair 900 aeroplane which is valued at 50 000 Dollars.

The remaining aircraft are privately owned as follows:

HELICOPTERS: 2 x Bell Jet Ranger Helicopters - owned by Mr Cluver. 1 x Hughes 500 - this aircraft is jointly owned by Mr Cluver and Mrs H Gray who holds 25 % shares. 2 x Robinson R44 - one is owned by Mr Colin Viniello and the second is owned by Mr Warren. 1 x BO 105 - This aircraft is jointly owned with Mr Cluver, Dr Arthlite and Mr G Owen.

AEROPLANES: 1 x Strikemaster Jet - jointly owned by Mr Garlick and Mr Craven. 1 x Cessna 207 - owned by Mr Richard Smith. 1 x Cessna 414 - owned by Union Charter Trust. 1 x Pilatus PC12 - owned by Adendorff Auctioneers. 1 x Pilatus PC12 - owned by Bill McAdam of the Board of Executors. 1 x Kingair 200 - owned by Mr Cluver.

These aircraft are on a permanent sub-contract basis to the Civair.