WITH more than eight months still to go before the kickoff of the 2010 Soccer World Cup, many long-haul airlines are booked to capacity on South African flights.
British Airways, Emirates, Delta and Lufthansa confirm they are already fully booked, particularly near the start and end of the tournament.
Many airlines also expect 100% load factors ahead of next month’s World Cup draw in Cape Town.
“Capacity offered by the daily Lufthansa seasonal flights reintroduced at the end of October this year between Cape Town and Frankfurt has been absorbed,” Gabriel Leupold, MD southern and eastern Africa, said at the weekend. “December and January bookings show an average seat load factor of over 90%.”
Fouad Caunhye, Emirates regional manager Southern Africa, said Emirates World Cup flights to SA were heavily booked. He hinted that Emirates might consider using an Airbus A380 on South African routes, but said it was too soon commit to a larger aircraft or additional flights.
Many airlines have not committed additional flights or capacity over the World Cup period as they are awaiting the outcome of the December 4 draw. The draw will clarify where and against whom the 32 participating teams will play, information needed for airlines to plan schedules.
Air transport will be vital in bringing fans to the country and transporting them from their base camps to matches.
The Department of Transport has asked international airlines to use their aircraft domestically between long-haul flights.
“We, along with other airlines, have been approached to use our aircraft during the day when they are standing idle, but no decision has been made,” said Caunhye.
Leupold said: “South African Airways (SAA) has already officially approached both Star Alliance partners Lufthansa and SWISS regarding our willingness to deploy our aircraft while they stand idle at OR Tambo and Cape Town International.”
South African carriers, such as SAA, and , are also planning to increase capacity.
Comair joint CEO Gidon Novick said his group planned to increase its capacity by 50% for the World Cup to 450000 seats, leasing two Boeing 737-800s.
Anwar Gany, chief director of civil aviation in the Department of Transport, said the required capacity and the plans to meet that demand would be finalised in January.
baumannj@bdfm.co.za