Mango Airlines Faces Yet Another Setback in Its Long Goodbye

South Africans hoping for closure in the long-running saga of Mango Airlines will have to wait even longer. The low-cost carrier, once a staple on domestic routes, has again postponed a crucial decision on whether it will wind down operations or face liquidation.

Another Meeting, Another Delay

Business Rescue Practitioner Sipho Sono confirmed that a meeting with creditors, initially scheduled for September, has now been pushed to 7 November. He explained that the delay is to address outstanding questions and review possible amendments from stakeholders, including South African Airways (SAA), which owns the majority of Mango.

This is not the first time the process has dragged. Since Mango was grounded in 2021, the airline has been stuck in a limbo of boardroom wrangling, missed deadlines and frustrated creditors.

The Missing Millions

A key sticking point appears to be the unresolved issue of bailout funding. Aviation consultant Sean Mendis highlighted that in 2021, government earmarked R399 million for Mango’s revival, yet the airline reportedly received only R225 million. The rest, he noted, seemed to have gone to SAA as it restarted its own operations.

“This reconciliation is something that would need to be sorted out before any winding down takes place,” Mendis said. It’s a reminder of the messy financial trail left behind when state-owned carriers stumble.

Investor Buzz or Empty Talk?

Amid the delays, speculation has emerged that Mango may have caught the eye of an international investor. Industry site ch-aviation hinted at interest, though nothing has been independently verified.

Skepticism runs deep. Mango’s last potential backer, Ubuntu Air Services, pulled out in July, citing endless red tape. Mendis isn’t convinced any new suitor would be serious. “Mango does not exist for all practical purposes. All Mango has is a name. I question whether this is actually a serious investor because there is zero value in buying an airline which has no assets.”

For many in the aviation community, the rumour feels less like a lifeline and more like a distraction.

A Wider SOE Struggle

Mango’s woes echo a bigger problem: the debt-ridden collapse of state-owned enterprises (SOEs). Both Mango and South African Express Airways (SAX) were recently flagged by the Auditor-General for unpaid auditing bills. Mango owes R2 million, while SAX owes a staggering R21 million, despite its wind-down process having begun in 2022.

Treasury has warned that these debts may need to be written off entirely. For South Africans, this underscores a familiar frustration: SOE failures often leave taxpayers and creditors footing the bill.

A Brand Running on Empty

Once known for its bright orange planes and affordable fares, Mango carried millions of South Africans across the country during its heyday. But today, it exists more as a memory than a functioning airline. With no planes, no flights, and mounting debt, its long goodbye seems less about revival and more about untangling what’s left.

Whether November’s meeting finally brings closure remains to be seen. For now, Mango remains grounded, and South Africa’s aviation sector waits impatiently for answers.

{Source:Travel News}

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