Flitestar

Flitestar was a South African airline that operated from 1991-1994.

Company History

Flitestar was the first South African airline to directly challenge the monopoly of South African Airways. It was a subsidiary of Trek Airways (The actual name of the airline was Trek Airways Flitestar, but it operated under the brand name Flitestar) and began operations on October 16, 1991 using four new leased Airbus A320-211 aircraft.

Flitestar concentrated on serving the business market without neglecting all other passengers. That paid off and soon Flitestar had gained up to 25% of the domestic marker with load factors of 63% or more. But SAA did not sit still and see its marker erode, it fought back with force, sometimes embarking on a campaign of dirty tricks (see link website for more on that). Those tactics by SAA paid off and by December 1993 Flitestar reduced services.

The end came swiftly when on 11 April 1994 Flitestar and Trek Airways ceased operations and both airlines were liquidated. [http://www.sa-tansport.co.za/aircraft/flitestar.html]

Fleet Details

*4 - Airbus A320-211
*2 - ATR 72-202

External links

* [http://www.airtimes.com/cgat/za/flitestar.htm Flitestar TimeTables]
* [http://www.planespotters.net/Airline/Flitestar-Airways Fleet information]
* [http://www.planepictures.net/netshow.php?id=2937 Flitestar A320 picture]

References