Why starting and operation an airline in SA is expensive.

Loading player...
GUEST – Phuthego Mojapele – Aviation Analyst



Operating an airline is often seen as a glamorous endeavor, but behind the scenes lies a complex web of sky-high costs, razor-thin margins, and constant operational challenges.



Our guest, an industry expert, breaks down the real economics of running an airline on the continent: from aircraft acquisition and fuel pricing volatility, to airport fees, regulatory hurdles, and the ever-present challenge of profitability. We explore how airlines generate revenue beyond just ticket sales, the impact of fluctuating exchange rates, and why the South African aviation market presents both immense opportunity and significant risk
5 Jun 2025 4PM English South Africa Business News · Investing

Other recent episodes

INSIDE YOUR BUSINESS: Transformation fund: opportunity or threat for SMEs?

The government is preparing to launch a revamped Transformation Fund as early as next week, rewriting incentives that have shaped corporate behaviour for more than two decades. Joining Gugulethu today is Jamell Khan from Unconventional CA (UCA), who has been vocal about the risks of centralising corporate transformation funds.
28 Jan 1PM 12 min

SAFDA’s plan to rescue Tongaat-Hulett and protect farmers’ livelihoods

South Africa’s sugar industry faces a critical moment as Tongaat-Hulett, one of the country’s oldest and most prominent sugar producers, confronts provisional liquidation despite ongoing efforts to stabilise the business. South African Farmers’ Development Association (SAFDA), led by Chairperson Dr Siyabonga Madlala, has stepped in to assure farmers and employees…
19 Feb 2PM 17 min

South African professionals are facing a new era of stress

South African professionals are facing a new era of stress, one that is no longer confined to busy periods or isolated pressures but embedded in the fabric of everyday life. The 2025 Profmed Stress Index released on Thursday reveals a workforce grappling with financial strain, toxic workplace cultures, systemic instability…
19 Feb 2PM 11 min