LIFT Airline temporarily suspends coastal route

South Africa’s budget carrier with a difference, LIFT Airline, will not operate scheduled flights on its coastal route for a month during the coming winter.

LIFT AIRLINE SUSPENDS COASTAL ROUTE

The airline has blocked off flights on its website for services on its coastal route between Cape Town and Durban from 7 May to 12 June.

A spokesperson from the airline told Travelnews that the suspension is temporary.

“Over the winter period, we have taken the decision to revise our schedule and temporarily pause our route between Cape Town and Durban, between May 7 and June 12. We are in the process of notifying all passengers and have re-accommodated everyone on the closest alternative flights. Our team is focused on minimising the impact to travellers for this period and will assist passengers with any required changes,” said a spokesperson for the airline in a statement shared with Travel News.

LIFT’S ROUTE SUSPENSION

The cause of the suspension of services for a month is not yet clear.

Whether the cause is influenced by passenger demand levels, aircraft-related matters or technical issues remains unknown.

When launching the airline in 2020, Lift CEO Jonathan Ayache mentioned that LIFT’s business model enabled the company to tailor operations around demand.

“We’re very lucky that LIFT’s agile, demand-driven business model allows us to scale up and down as things change. And change, they certainly do,” Ayache said.   

ROUTE RESUMPTION

The airline will continue to operate services on the coastal route. Its flights will recommence on 13 June.

Until such time, affected passengers will be assisted with alternative arrangements.

Lift is re-accommodating these passengers on the closest alternative flights. 

“We’ll still operate our full daily schedule between Durban and Joburg, and Joburg and Cape Town during this period. Flights between Cape Town and Durban are scheduled to resume on June 13. We look forward to flying this route again soon,” said Lift.

LIFT AIRLINE

The budget carrier started operation in December 2020, during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, when there was a shortage of seats in the SA aviation landscape.

The airline is known for doing things differently. Classified as a low-cost carrier, LIFT is quite unique.

As well as offering full flexibility on its budget airline tickets, the airline provides all passengers with complimentary inflight snacks and drinks.

SPECIAL EVENTS IN THE AIR

From time to time, Lift Airline surprises passengers with exciting inflight entertainment.

It has hosted book launches, silent discos, fashion shows and performances by local artists on its flights.

Furthermore, the airline also allows passengers to bring pets on its flights. Small dogs may be carried in the passenger section of the aircraft.