About Us

Since taking to the skies for the first time on 15 November 2006, Mango had soared, building its reputation not only on its sustainably affordable fares but also gaining recognition as one of the most innovative aviation businesses with a channel and payment method strategy that has seen accelerated commoditisation of air travel in South Africa. Three years since its launch Mango continues to fly with high load factors and announced a bottom line profit; exceptional for an airline during a challenging economic climate.

Mango in a nutshell

Mango was launched on 30 October 2006 with bookings going on sale at midnight on the same date. The online event was one of the largest E-commerce events in local online retail history with 10 000 impressions per minute registered in some instances. Mango’s first flight took place on 15 November 2006. Mango’s introduction grew the size of the South African aviation market by at least 10% making it possible for millions of ordinary South Africans, for whom air travel was previously impossible, to fly.

Mango’s business case is based on international best practice enabling it to be a true low cost carrier: Operating a uniform fleet of aircraft with high seat density, optimum asset utilization, high productivity from employees (3, 300 annual passenger movements: 1 employee). Operational efficiencies and effective channel strategies and payment methods have enhanced Mango’s leading position in the domestic aviation market. Ultimately, the key objective is to ensure sustainably affordable air travel that is accessible to all South Africans.

Mango operates four new generation Boeing 737-800 aircraft which are some of the most fuel efficient in our skies today. Mango’s aircraft is serviced and maintained according to world-class standards by SAA Technical. Each aircraft carries 186 Guests between Johannesburg and Cape Town, Durban and Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban and Bloemfontein and Cape Town.

Interesting Facts

• Mango introduced the first retail store card payment acceptances on its website and through its call centre in 2007. Mango accepts all Edcon account cards, including Edgars, Jet, Prato and CNA cards.
• Mango’s other innovative payment acceptances online include First National Bank’s Cell Pay Point, Nedbank’s N-Pay and the SID Debit Transfer option.
• Mango was the first airline to trade air travel through retail when it launched through Checkers, Shoprite and Checkers Hyper Money Market Counters in late 2007. Since then, other airlines have followed.
• Mango carried its one millionth Guest in record time, within the first 14 months of operation. It has since carried in excess of 4 million Guests.
• Mango has won a string of awards, including Best African Low Cost Airline in 2007, Best Global Launch Campaign in London 2007, 74% brand recognition rate in Sunday Times Top 10 SA brands in 2008, PRISM Awards for Best Corporate Communication in 2007 and 2008 as well as for Best Publication for its in flight magazine Mango Juice in 2009.
• Last year Mango was awarded the Budgie Award for best new international marketing and advertising campaign as well as ACSA Feather Awards in 3 of the 4 airports it operates from.
• Mango is the only low cost carrier that offers an in flight entertainment system, Mango TV, accompanied by in flight magazine Mango Juice – which is also available online.
• Mango was the first low cost airline to develop business travel specific products; Mango Plus offers same route flexibility sans penalties, 10kg additional check in luggage, access to Bidvest Premier Lounges and R 40 on board refreshments. Mango Flex offers same route flexibility sans penalties.
• Mango was the first low cost airline to offer self service check in at all major airports and Guests are also able to pre-check themselves online.
  Over the past year, Mango holds the record as most on time domestic airline.
• Mango was one of the first South African companies to enter the social media domain with its Facebook group, the only South African airline to ever host a R 1 sale and in 2009 the official airline for the Loerie Awards and the Vodacom Durban July.
• Vodacom Credit Card holders receive 25% discount off Mango flights.
• Mango’s car rental partner is Tempest Car Hire with Southern Sun its hospitality partner.

Social Investment

Mango is passionate about the people of South Africa and has engaged in several community based initiatives that have included, among others:

Partnering with Tempest Car Hire in grassroots soccer development through the Dreamfields programme, thus far sponsoring 52 schools and hosting three regional tournaments.
Partnering with UNICEF in an online fundraising campaign to collect contributions to the organisation’s programmes leveraging sport, in particular soccer, as youth development platforms.
Hosting several educational experiential days at the National Zoological Gardens for underprivileged children.
Planting of trees as part of its carbon offset programme.