sa express employee magazine | july 2014
The Vaal Reef Expo
contents
03 CEO Letter 04 SA Express Travel Agent Awards 05 Travel Document Workshop in Lubumbashi 06 SA Express at Macufe 07 CSI: 2014 SAWIA GFPA Aviation and Space Camp 08
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08 SA Express Steals the Show at the Vaal
Reef Telematics and Career Expo
10 Making SA Express a Greener Airline 11 SA Express Cargo – Flying for You 12 Word Search
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CEO Letter Dear Coll
eagues
We are fast app roaching the bus the festiv iest tra e season v e l season well as , of the the end year, as of 2014 successe . Let ’s r s of the eflect o ye a r a n d n the our orga h o w we nisation are align with gre edition o ing at CSI in f Express itiatives. o, we loo In have tak t his k at t h e g r en part in e at e ve n during th innovatio t s we e year, a n s t h at S s well as A E x p re s o t It is true h er s is under that we a taking. re experie but thes ncing som e are no e challen t deterrin harder to ges, g us from ensure th m oving fo at we co brand. W rward an ntinue to e will em d strivin develop erge stro g a great ma s ta n b g le and su er in the nagemen stainable new year t. with the T h a n k yo leadersh u for you ip of r continu service t e d h a rd o our cu w s o t o r k and fo m e rs . R e t o p ro u d r providin s t a s s u re ly implem d t h at S A g stellar ent its m with key E x p a r n ess will c d ate o f c hubs . T h ontinue onnectin e airline o v e rc o m g s e co n d will cont e these t a r y in m u e arkets urbulent to “Fly fo Enjoy re times. r You” a ading th nd it wil is edition l of Expre sso. Sincerely Inati
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expresso | November 2014
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SALES
Awards
SA Express Travel Agent Awards
Travel agents are the bedrock of our business; 78 % of our business is derived from travel agents and the remaining 22 % from direct channels. It would therefore be folly not to show our appreciation to our primary source of revenue. “As we celebrate our 20th birthday, we also need to acknowledge the support of the top twenty travel agents who have supported us during the financial year that ended on 31st March 2014,” explained Ms Thuli Fihla, Divisional Manger of Sales at SA Express. There were 18 winners of the 20 awards, with Travel with Flair being the big winner as they scooped two of the awards. Their first and most prestigious award was The Overall Biggest Supplier of Clients award, while their Cape Town branch placed 15th on the list of top 20 winners. It was yet another feather in the cap for this internationally renowned travel agency whose evolution fits the narrative of a fairytale. Ms. Johanna Mukoki, MD of Travel with Flair, is a native
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Top 20 Travel Agents
1. Travel with Flair 2. Club Travel 3. TravelStart Online Travel 4. Duma Travel 5. Flight Centre 6. Tourvest Holdings 7. Nexus Travel 8. Flight Centre 9. Etravel 10. Carlson Wagonlit Travel 11. Rennies Online e-Centre 12. Tourism Investment Corp LTD 13. Wings Corporate Travel 14. Thompsons Travel 15. Travel with Flair – Cape Town 16. HRG Rennies Greenacres 17. Magic Travel 18. Aloe Travel 19. HRG Rennies KZN 20. Mitcelles Travel Agency (PTY) Ltd
of Soweto and was born into a family of modest means. Upon completing high school, she enrolled at Rhodes University where she studied a B.Com degree. She then completed her articles at KPMG and Aiken & Peat. After completing her studies, she received numerous wellpaying offers to work for various accounting firms. She rejected all of these offers, instead opting to start her own venture. In 1996, she met Robert Wilke and Tibor Zsadanyi, and the trio started Travel with Flair. From one branch in Pretoria, Travel with Flair has expanded to several branches across the country with over 500 employees on their books. It was the first travel agency in South Africa to have SMS confirmation, and e-confirmation as well as to email boarding passes to clients. The accolades they recently received from SA Express are an acknowledgement of their astuteness, and based on their track record, it would be safe to bet that it won’t be the last time they receive such an acknowledgement.
company news
Travel Document Workshop in Lubumbashi The sudden rise in the number of visa infringements on our regional routes has prompted the Acting DM of Airport Operation, Ms Sindiswa Khoza, to conduct workshops in order to curb visa fines which have a huge financial bearing at a €5,000 penalty per infringement. As the Lubumbashi (FBM) route is the highest collector, it was natural that the workshops were launched on that route. Typically, airlines are faced with fines if they fail to properly verify passengers’ credentials. Approximately 30 passengers’ travels were interrupted at FBM and ORTIA airports between 2011 and 2014, for reasons including: • False documentation • Criminal conviction • Simply not having a valid visa Some of these visa fines have been disputed successfully. However, Ms Khoza is of the view that these penalties are avoidable, as these are controllable human factors. South African and Congolese authorities are then forced to process
the failed entrants, and the airline fined €5,000 per passenger. Over and above that, the accommodation costs for the Inadmissible Passenger (INAD) at ORTIA are three meals per day and Analytical Risk Management (ARM) personnel supervision is no less than R800 per passenger per day. Government has introduced legislation which requires airlines to properly check passengers’ documentation before allowing them to board the plane. Failure to do so will result in a fine, hence it was paramount that the workshop include all the relevant stakeholders, including ASEM Sales Manager Martin Tambwe (FBM Ground Handlers); staff and their top management; the Consulate General of South Africa; Nomazizi Beija the Vice Consulate in Lubumbashi, and DGM Victor Kapumba. The workshop was very fruitful, with challenges addressed head on. Obviously a continuous improvement and strengthening of relationships provides added value for the airline. A follow up workshop in Johannesburg is also planned soon.
company news
SA Express at Macufe
The Mangaung African Cultural Festival (MACUFE) was launched by the Free State Provincial Government in 1997. Since its launch, MACUFE has become one of the biggest cultural festivals on the African continent, and has garnered much international acclaim. This year’s theme was Ya lla melodi ya tokoloho, which means “the sweet melody of freedom”. SA Express was a proud sponsor of the festivities and carried over 80 passengers travelling on non-stop flights to Bloemfontein and back to their homes over a ten day period. Bloemfontein station staff played a huge role in ensuring the safe arrival of passengers. They also offered warm welcomes and assisted the marketing team in setting up branding all over the main
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stadium event venue. On Saturday, 11th October, the day of the main festival, staff in attendance played host to VIP guests in the SA Express marquee. They enjoyed performances from artists like Oliver Mtukudzi, Thandiswa Mazwai, Mafikizolo, Ringo Madlingozi, USA artists Chantay Savage and Chrisette Michele, and many more. Although the weather refused to play along, it did not dampen the spirit of crowd, but only fuelled the enjoyment of the day’s events. Thank you to SA Express staff for their continued support, and special thanks to the Bloemfontein station staff members who did an outstanding job in hosting all the travellers.
company news
CSI: 2014 SAWIA GFPA Aviation and Space Camp The Southern African Women in Aviation and Aerospace Industry (SAWIA) is an organisation dedicated to the empowerment of women in the aviation and aerospace industry in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. SAWIA is a forum that creates access to more experienced industry professionals, affording aspiring aviatrix the chance to exchange ideas, network and develop relationships crucial to career success. It also aspires to be the primary network for established and aspiring female aviation professionals in the region. In October, SAWIA hosted the Girl Fly Programme in Africa’s (GFPA) annual Aviation & Space Camp for 100 learners. SA Express sponsored return flights for eight learners from Kimberley to participate in the camp which took place at Konka in Muldersdrift. GFPA is an information and skills development education programme for high school learners who have an interest in the aviation and aerospace industry. The education programme is designed to expose young women (and the public) to a world of opportunities, while highlighting the achievements of women in aviation and aerospace. During the camp, from 6 th to 11th October, the girls were exposed to aviation in the form of building and flying delta darts and model aircraft. They were hosted by various aviation organisations at OR Tambo International Airport for
an introduction to the operations of aviation. They also had to conduct research on a space theme and present this to the whole group. The final day of the camp was spent at the South African National Space Academy (SANSA) as part of Space Week 2014. This initiative showed how much SA Express and the event’s other sponsors care about developing youth interest in aviation, and motivated them to stay on course in pursuing this career.
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company news
SA Express Steals the Show at the Vaal Reef Telematics and Career Expo
On Friday, 17th October, SA Express participated in the Vaal Reef Telematics and Career Expo in Klerkdorp hosted by Denel. The Expo targeted about 2,068 learners – particularly those studying mathematics and physical science – from Vaal Reef Technical High School, as well as schools in the surrounding areas. The objective of the day was to deliver the telematics system
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to Vaal Reef Technical High School, contributing towards their vision of “a centre for excellence for mathematics and physical science”, while incorporating technical training. This was also a showcase of the Department of Social Enterprises (DPE), and highlighted the commitment by state owned companies (SOC) to support the improvement of South Africa’s quality of education.
The day’s programme was jam packed with music from the school’s choir, dancing (traditional and gumboot) as well as speeches from the panel of dignitaries from Denel, the Department of Education, Stats SA, the local mayor, the school’s principal, an Anglo American representative and a keynote address from the Deputy Minister of Public Enterprises, Mr Bulelani Gratitude Magwanishe. The Deputy Minister highlighted the importance of education and said, “Employers in the private sector and state owned companies have agreed to take on more apprentices, learners and interns and to take them beyond their operational means. The Department of Public Enterprises, in partnership with seven of its SOCs, is organising career and youth expos as part of our communication plan to educate the public about the role that SOCs play in their daily lives. Moreover the critical role SOCs play in the development of the South African economy.” The highlight of the day was the overwhelming cheer for the motivational talks given by the recipients of the internship, bursary and cadet programmes of the various SOCs. SA Express Junior First Officer, Moabi Ntlhaile, a Klerksdorp native, and Cadet Pilot, Kearabetswe Tshoke, stole the show when they got on stage to impart their
knowledge and to tell learners about their journeys through the cadet pilot programme. The MC, the delegates and the students were impressed by the eloquent way in which the cadets expressed themselves. “It really meant a lot to speak to the youth and to see their admiration for what we do. Giving back after being given the opportunity of a lifetime really makes sense,” says Kearabetswe. A big part of the day, was when Moabi and Kearabetswe got on the SAA simulation truck “Vulindlela” and explained the flight control panel to the Deputy Minister. They then spent the greater part of the day answering questions from curious learners who are interested in pursuing a career in aviation. “Spending my day in my home town and motivating learners about flying was really special for me. I’m proud to stand in front of students and also get them excited about flying,” says Moabi. The learners visited each exhibition stand and received information on the careers they can pursue. They also received goodie bags to take home. The Deputy Minister ended the day by presenting representatives from the eight schools with mathematics dictionaries as well as some sanitary items for identified students.
expresso | November 2014
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company news
Making SA Express a Greener Airline
SA Express has become the first airline in the country to adopt a new method of taxiing after landing that burns less fuel and cuts fuel emissions. This simple but unusual method of using only one engine to taxi off the runway to the terminal after landing, cuts the amount of fuel burned by an average of 20 litres on every landing. A flight from Johannesburg to Bloemfontein typically uses 1,000 litres of fuel, so saving 20 litres is a reduction of 2 %, helping SA Express to become a little greener. It’s also good for the balance sheet. Turboprop Fleet Manager, Captain Alan Macaulay, expects this simple tactic to save the airline about R5 million every year. “The primary reasons to do it are to save fuel and to cut our carbon emissions,” says Macaulay. “We save about 20 litres of fuel every time an aircraft lands, and with the number of flights we operate per day and per year, that runs into millions of litres and reduces our carbon emissions enormously.” SA Express operates a fleet of both jets and propeller planes. The jet engines are too high for the passengers to see, so people are probably not even aware that one engine is being switched off once the plane has landed. But there is a chance that passengers on the prop planes will notice and worry that something is wrong, Macaulay says. “On a prop plane, stopping one of the propellers is a fairly visible thing, so we want to let everyone know why we are doing it,” he says. The new initiative is beginning to catch on around the world
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after aircraft manufacturers extensively tested the single-engine taxiing technique and declared it safe. “Some other operators around the world started doing this a while ago, but we took a more conservative approach and waited for all the evidence to come in. Now the aircraft manufacturers have looked at all the risks and analysed the effect on all the components, and Bombardier, the manufacturer of our aircraft, has endorsed this programme,” Macaulay says. SA Express has also done its own trials to make sure it works in this environment and that the crews are comfortable with the policy. “None of our rival airlines has pursued this yet, so we are proud that it makes us a greener airline. We are doing all sorts of things in an attempt to save fuel, and this is one new change that will have a very tangible result,” Macaulay says. Flights to Gaborone will not switch off an engine on landing, because the airport terminal is right next to the runway. “In that case there is nothing to be gained, but our flights landing in Hoedspruit, Kimberley, Bloemfontein, and Johannesburg have fairly extended taxi times, so the saving is quite significant,” Macaulay says. No departing planes will taxi on only one engine from the airport to the runway, as the pilots have too many other things to focus on, Macaulay says. Good news for passengers is that the planes will still taxi at the same speed upon landing, so there will be no delays.
company news
SA Express Cargo – Flying for You SA Express is focused on reintroducing our clients and partners to our cargo division, to remind them of this particular service offering. In August and September 2014, the cargo team hosted open days at various stations in order to create awareness and to market our cargo services, as well as to explain our cargo-SAA relationship. SA Express cargo transports dangerous goods, bulky goods and general and express cargo daily for freight forwarder companies such as Interloc, DHL, SpeedServices couriers and private individuals (walk-in
clients). We have agents onsite to assist these clients in processing these goods and to ensure that the condition of the packaging is safe and according to IATA standards. We work in partnership with SAA in various stations and they assist us in delivering our shipments to areas where we don’t have stations. Our biggest advantage is that we offer competitive market rates which allow us to reach a variety of clients and partners. We continue to offer all our clients value for money and stick to our value of delivering with speed without compromising on quality.
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