In May 2020, at the height of the pandemic lockdowns, Comair filed for a voluntary business bailout, similar to bankruptcy protection.
Comair, the South African operator of British Airways flights, grounded all its planes after running out of funds, the company said.
The airline, which is under administration, also operates the budget airline Kulula. Those planes are also grounded, with ticket sales for both airlines suspended.
In a statement issued late Tuesday, Comair said its administrators “have advised that the process to raise the necessary capital is in progress and that there is reason to believe that such financing can be secured.
“Once received, the airline will be able to restart operations, but unfortunately under these circumstances, practitioners have no choice but to voluntarily suspend all scheduled flights until funding is confirmed,” it added.
In May 2020, at the height of the pandemic lockdowns, Comair filed for voluntary corporate bailout, a procedure similar to bankruptcy protection, to restructure the company.
By February of this year, the company, which operates a fleet of 26 Boeing planes, mainly 737-800s, had resumed most flights.
But South African aviation officials suspended Comair flights for five days in March over safety concerns, dealing a further blow to the company.
The latest suspension will reduce airline capacity in Africa’s most industrialized nation by 40% and could lead to higher prices for flights on the country’s busiest route between the financial capital of Johannesburg and tourist Cape Town.