Mango

Mango Airlines SOC Ltd, trading as Mango, was a South African low-cost airline established by South African Airways and launched in 2006. It operated independently as a subsidiary of the state-owned national carrier, with its own board and balance sheet, while its financial reporting was incorporated into the wider SAA Group. The airline was based at O. R. Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park, Gauteng, and focused on affordable scheduled air travel within South Africa. Bookings opened at midnight on 30 October 2006, and Mango operated its first flight on 15 November 2006. Its proposition was built around low fares, online booking, a broadly uniform aircraft fleet and high-density seating. Food and beverages were generally excluded from the standard fare and could be purchased on board. The airline also offered ancillary services and passenger media, including the Mango Juice inflight magazine, the former Mango TV entertainment service and paid inflight Wi-Fi supplied by G-Connect. Members of South African Airways' Voyager programme could redeem miles for Mango flights, although the available arrangement did not generally provide the full set of normal Voyager benefits. Mango became part of the financial and operational pressures affecting South African Airways. A proposed plan for Mango to become a Star Alliance Connecting Partner in 2016 was placed on hold because of SAA's deteriorating financial condition. The airline's operations were severely disrupted in 2021. On 28 April 2021, Mango was prevented from departing from or landing at Airports Company South Africa airports because of unpaid obligations and debt to ACSA. The airline subsequently remained grounded while efforts were made to secure funding and place the business into a rescue process. From July 2021, its aircraft were no longer operating, and the airline did not resume normal commercial service. In August 2022, South African authorities suspended Mango's operating licence for at least two years. In September 2023, the Gauteng High Court directed the Minister of Public Enterprises to decide within 30 days on matters relating to the possible sale of Mango. The airline's future therefore remained tied to government decisions, its relationship with South African Airways and the search for investment or restructuring support. On 6 June 2025, Mango announced through its flymango website that it intended to return and invited holders of unflown tickets to use an online portal to make claims. This announcement indicated a proposed revival rather than confirmed restoration of regular flights. Mango's current operating status should therefore be treated as uncertain pending authoritative confirmation of licence reinstatement and resumed service.

Mango Airlines was created as a low-cost subsidiary of South African Airways and began selling tickets on 30 October 2006. Its first flight followed on 15 November 2006. The airline was headquartered at O. R. Tambo International Airport and was wholly owned by SAA, which in turn was owned by the South African government. Although Mango was legally and operationally distinct enough to maintain its own board and balance sheet, its results were reported within the SAA Group and were affected by the parent company's financial condition. Mango's operating model was based on low-cost air travel. It used a relatively uniform fleet and high-density seating, sold tickets online and separated the base fare from optional purchases such as food and beverages. Passengers could buy refreshments on board, read the Mango Juice inflight magazine and, during the airline's operating period, access Mango TV entertainment and paid Wi-Fi. SAA Voyager members could use miles to redeem Mango flights, but the arrangement did not extend the normal range of Voyager privileges such as lounge access, upgrades or additional baggage allowances. The airline's intended role within the wider Star Alliance network was limited. A plan announced for Mango to become a Star Alliance Connecting Partner in the third quarter of 2016 was put on hold as South African Airways' financial problems intensified. Rather than expanding its network integration, Mango became increasingly exposed to the financial instability of its parent group and the difficulties of South Africa's aviation sector. On 28 April 2021, Airports Company South Africa barred Mango aircraft from departing from or arriving at its airports because of unpaid debt and non-payment obligations. The airline issued an apology but did not return to normal service. From July 2021 onward, Mango was described as grounded while funding for its business-rescue process remained subject to dispute. Questions arose over whether government support provided to SAA could be allocated to its subsidiary, but Mango did not secure a clear path back to regular operations. In August 2022, South African authorities suspended the airline's operating licence for at least two years. The licence action formalized Mango's inability to operate, although it did not immediately resolve the ownership and restructuring questions surrounding the company. In September 2023, the Gauteng High Court ordered the Minister of Public Enterprises to make a decision within 30 days regarding the potential sale of Mango. This kept the airline's future connected to possible divestment, investment or restructuring. On 6 June 2025, Mango used its flymango website to announce a proposed comeback and instructed customers holding unflown tickets to visit a claims portal. The announcement suggested that a potential investor might work with Mango's owners at SAA, but it did not by itself establish that scheduled flights had resumed or that the operating licence had been restored. Mango is therefore best described as a formerly operating airline with an announced revival effort and an unresolved current status.

1. 2025Revival announcement

   Mango announced a possible comeback and launched a process for holders of unflown tickets to submit claims.

   Source
2. 2023High Court orders decision on sale

   The Gauteng High Court required the Minister of Public Enterprises to decide on the possible sale of Mango within 30 days.

   Source
3. 2022Operating licence suspended

   South African authorities suspended Mango's licence for at least two years.

   Source
4. 2021Operations suspended at ACSA airports

   Mango was grounded after Airports Company South Africa cited unpaid obligations and stopped its aircraft from using its airports.

   Source
5. 2016Star Alliance plan paused

   The proposed Star Alliance Connecting Partner relationship was put on hold because of SAA's financial condition.

   Source
6. 2006Bookings open

   Mango opened ticket sales at midnight on 30 October as a new South African Airways low-cost subsidiary.

   Source
7. 2006First flight

   Mango operated its first commercial flight on 15 November.

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A value-focused South African low-cost airline offering low-fare scheduled passenger services with optional paid onboard products and ancillary services.

• Scheduled low-cost passenger flightsAirline service2006

  Mango's core offering was scheduled passenger air travel positioned around lower base fares. The airline primarily served the South African market and operated as a low-cost carrier with a simplified service model. Standard bookings generally excluded meals and drinks, allowing customers to purchase selected items separately.

• Buy-on-board serviceAncillary service

  Passengers could purchase food and beverages during flights rather than receiving them as part of the standard ticket. This supported Mango's low-cost structure by keeping the base fare separate from optional onboard consumption.

• Mango JuiceInflight media

  Mango Juice was the airline's inflight magazine and formed part of its passenger-facing brand experience. It complemented the carrier's entertainment and onboard communications.

• Mango TVInflight entertainment

  Mango TV was a former daily inflight entertainment programme shown on drop-down screens installed throughout the aircraft.

• Inflight Wi-FiConnectivity service

  Mango offered paid inflight Wi-Fi, with connectivity supplied by the South African broadband provider G-Connect.

• 2025Announced attempt to revive the airlineStrategy

  Mango remained grounded and its operating status was unresolved after licence and restructuring difficulties.

  What changed. Mango announced a proposed comeback through its flymango website and created a portal for holders of unflown tickets to submit claims.

  Aftermath. The announcement indicated a possible investor-backed revival but did not establish that regular flights had restarted.

  Source
• 2021Grounding following airport debt disputeOther

  Mango had unpaid obligations to Airports Company South Africa.

  What changed. ACSA prevented Mango aircraft from departing from or landing at its South African airports on 28 April.

  Aftermath. The airline did not resume normal operations and entered a prolonged period of grounding while funding and business-rescue issues were disputed.

  Source
• 2016Pause planned Star Alliance Connecting Partner participationStrategy

  Mango had planned to join Star Alliance as a Connecting Partner, but South African Airways was experiencing serious financial difficulties.

  What changed. The planned participation was put on hold rather than proceeding in the third quarter of 2016.

  Aftermath. Mango remained outside the proposed Star Alliance connecting arrangement as the SAA group's financial problems continued.

  Source

• 2025Mango announces proposed comeback and unflown-ticket claims process

  Mango announced on its flymango website that it intended to return and asked customers with unflown tickets to submit claims through an online portal.

  Other
  Source
• 2023Court orders decision on possible Mango sale

  The Gauteng High Court directed the Minister of Public Enterprises to make a decision within 30 days concerning the possible sale of Mango.

  LawsuitM&A
  Source
• 2022South Africa suspends Mango's operating licence

  Authorities suspended Mango's licence for at least two years after the airline had failed to resume operations.

  RegulationBankruptcy
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• 2021Mango grounded over airport debt

  Airports Company South Africa stopped Mango aircraft from departing or landing at its airports after the airline failed to meet payment obligations.

  BankruptcyRegulation
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• 2021Mango remains grounded during business-rescue funding dispute

  Mango's aircraft remained out of service while funding for a business-rescue process was disputed and the airline's future was considered.

  Bankruptcy
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• 2016Planned Star Alliance Connecting Partner arrangement put on hold

  Mango's proposed participation as a Star Alliance Connecting Partner was delayed because of South African Airways' financial difficulties.

  Other
  Source
• 2006Mango begins commercial operations

  South African Airways' low-cost subsidiary opened bookings on 30 October and operated its first flight on 15 November.

  Product launch
  Source

1. Mango (airline)