Tensions are growing rife at different ACSA-owned airports where passengers of Mango Airlines have been left in a lurch with no alternative travelling options.
Watch: Stranded Mango Airlines passengers demand answers
Renowned reporter Heidi Giokos has been on the ground, documenting the unrest that has bubbled under at OR Tambo International Airport, on Wednesday morning, where passengers of the SAA subsidiary were informed that all Mango flights had been cancelled.
Frustrated and tired of queueing in a line that has not moved all morning, some passengers were filmed going up to the Mango offices demanding answers.
Passengers have now resorted in going to the Mango offices upstairs to find out what’s going on a seek answers. Security personnel have gone up to ask them to go back down stairs. #MangoFlights pic.twitter.com/hDOWB987F6
— Heidi Giokos (@HeidiGiokos) April 28, 2021
Police and security have been called to Mango terminals as some customers are trying to go upstairs to the #Mango offices to seek answers. Security has now been placed at the stairs to ensure no one goes up. #MangoFlights pic.twitter.com/RIPXYwYtkD
— Heidi Giokos (@HeidiGiokos) April 28, 2021
Is the airline banned for good?
The embattled airline issued a statement , on Wednesday morning, notifying passengers of the indefinite delay.
“We are currently working on a solution and will be back at the counters and hope to clear the delays as soon possible,” the airline noted.
Dear Guests
— Mango Airlines (@FlyMangoSA) April 28, 2021
Mango Airlines apologises for this morning’s flight interruptions and delays.
We are currently working on a solution and will be back at the counters and hope to clear the delays as soon possible.
We apologise in advance for the inconvenience caused.
However, by noon, no answers had been furnished to frustrated passengers who have been stuck at the following ACSA-owned airports:
- Cape Town International Airport;
- OR Tambo International Airport;
- King Shaka International Airport; and
- George Airport.
According to reports, ACSA and Mango have been embroiled in intense payment negotiations, where the creditor — ACSA — has lost its patience with the state-owned airline.
It is said that Mango had until Saturday 1 May to honour its debt, the total of which remains undisclosed, but was forced to act sooner than initially agreed.
At the time this article was published, services at Mango terminals had not resumed. This is the latest update on the situation at OR Tambo:
Passengers who had booked on #Mango are now starting to move over to other airlines to book their tickets their as they have not been told by #Mango what plans are being made for their flights. Some were told for the 6am flight they would fly at 8am, they still waiting.
— Heidi Giokos (@HeidiGiokos) April 28, 2021