Cemair’s vd Molen on secret SAA bailouts, pilot and engineer emigration and more

Airline entrepreneur Miles van der Molen shares an insider’s perspective of the local aviation sector where SAA continues to fly despite losing a bundle (so who’s funding it?) and how, despite having less than 10 aircraft, the State-owned airline wants to open a route to Brazil. Cemair’s founder and CEO explains the implications of a growing shortage of skills locally after SA pilots and engineers are being sucked into a global industry desperate for staff as volumes return to pre-Covid pandemic levels. He spoke to Alec Hogg of BizNews.
Video production by Asime Nyide
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Timestamps
00:08 - Introductions
01:11 - Miles van der Molen on what’s happening in the Aviation market
02:40 - International flights
03:35 - Cemair is now number three airline in South Africa
06:27 - What are the routes within South Africa that are still expanding or areas where you are able to add more aircraft?
07:04 - Semigration’s impacts on the airline industry
08:53 - On SAA
11:59 - Is there a commercial viability in having a connection between South Africa and Brazil
14:48 - Covid grants
17:30 - The skills decline
18:37 - The inflow of new SA talent
20:09 - Conclusion
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[@brucemcdonald8529]

SAA to Brazil - what better way to "import/export" contraband, into/out of SA on a govt owned carrier. No targeted searches of specific luggage or containers in the aircraft's hold. Money for jam!!

[@veronicakarstel9126]

Yes, via the crew, nice a fat so can hide it

[@grahamr56]

Sao Paolo flight aka the Junkie Jet

[@roryfreeman9433]

SAA is an ANC carrier and that's it

[@aviatixmodels589]

Cool interview, love Cemair and definitely our SA airline of choice. Always had exceptional service.

[@rhodaborrocks1654]

I thought that SAA getting sold off was part of the deal to fund their restart? Golly ...

[@dnxsol]

Anyone with a brain must have realised by now, ZA is a banana republic. Thank the heavens I saw that 6 years ago and I voetsek from the place of my birth, best decision ever.
No future for me and I'm NOT gambling my son's futures either.

[@elizejansevanrensburg4099]

CapeTown needs a new Airport sooner rather than later

[@veronicakarstel9126]

Rob Hersov is busy with exactly that

[@greatzoran]

Wasn't there talk of the SAAF being contracted to train crews for the commercial sector a while back?

[@MkuluClive-ls5qj]

A quote by an ex SAA Capt.and senior flying instructor."I would not fly my coffin on SAA".

[@michaelhardman7022]

I will never book direct via an airline, but rather through a travel agent who can sort out visa`s cancellations etc.

[@marlienbrink308]

Didn't SAA fly to Sao Paulo many years ago

[@onlythebravepodcast3234]

They flew there up until COVID.

[@johnsanby6639]

SAA who checks the oil & water?

[@veronicakarstel9126]

The cleaners

[@nivi3418]

Cemairs ratings are just as bad as SAA (Worse in some cases). I do not have much confidence that Private providers would be any better than SAA, except for the fact that it wont be tax money bailing out SAA constantly.

[@nokomakhwiting5869]

👌👌👌

[@roryfreeman9433]

SAA is dead in the water

[@veronicakarstel9126]

I would choose any other airline rather than SAA, more money to loot

[@johannvanschalkwyk2141]

With the crew shortage, yet SA is known not to attack new talent and be able to pay them fair.

[@veronicakarstel9126]

Air hostesses are a disgrace. Look at the tall, slim and classy Ethiopian Airlines hostesses

[@Missme_1]

If you know that there is a shortage of skills why don't you look after the staff you currently have? Business strategy 101

[@tinekeg6683]

SAA a ghost carrier