On the ground for nearly four years, Mango Airlines is preparing for its long-standing return to South African skies. The low-cost airline, a subsidiary of South Africa Airlines (SAA), took part in business rescue in July 2021 and ceased operations shortly afterwards. Currently, Business Rescue Practitioner (BRP) Sipho Sono says the airline has completed its deal with selected investors and set the stage for the mango comeback.
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Mango Airlines is back
The mango grounding has hit South Africa's aviation sector harder than ever, especially for budget-conscious travelers. However, Sono, a certified public accountant who leads the rescue operation, confirmed that negotiations with investors were almost complete. The deal aims to bring the airline back into the air for the first time since July 2021.
“As part of this process, we need to check the value of a voucher that was purchased but not used, previously issued but not available.
What passengers can expect
If an investor trade is made, the mangoes will issue a voucher to passengers who have paid for a flight they have never taken. These vouchers are equal to the full value of unused tickets and can be redeemed when the airline resumes operations.
However, if the transaction falls apart, the Mango will deal with these unbeaten tickets and vouchers as creditors' claims. In that case, affected passengers will receive partial payments through the business rescue process.
Don't miss the deadline: The verification portal opens
Mango has launched a verification portal on its website to efficiently manage passenger billing. Passengers will need to review ticket details to qualify for a voucher reissue.
Important Dates:
Portal opened: Wednesday, June 4th, 2025 Deadline: Sunday, September 1st, 2025
Sono urged passengers not to be late. No deadline means confiscating your right to a voucher or refund.
Who is eligible?
Only passengers who purchased tickets and paid in full after July 26, 2021, before mango grounding are eligible. Those who purchased tickets prior to that day are likely to have received a refund from their bank, credit card company or travel agent and are not part of this verification process.
Delays in SAA cause tension
One of the ultimate obstacles to the mango renewal is the parent company, SAA. SAA has approved the business rescue plan, but has yet to sign off to the sale of the share agreement filed in November 2022.
Sono's legal team sent an official letter to the SAA on May 2, 2025, requesting a response within 14 calendar days. He warned that further delays could derail the mango's return and threaten the success of business rescues.
Lessons from the past: 1 autumn
Mango's comeback compares to one airline, another local, low-cost carrier that closed in 2012 after a failed business rescue attempt. The National Consumer Commission began investigating one last-minute ticket sales, but ended the investigation after the airline entered liquidation.
Unlike 1 time, mangoes appear to prioritize transparency and customer protection by providing a clear timeline and communication regarding the verification process.
South Africa's aviation sector boost
The potential revival of mangoes could provide much-needed relief for South African travelers facing limited, low-cost options and rising airfares. If the investor's transaction is completed, the mangoes will not only resume flights, but will help restore competition and consumer confidence in the market.
The next few weeks will be extremely important. Passengers who want to regain the value of their unused tickets must verify the information by September 1, 2025. Investors are mounted nearby, preparations are underway, and Mango Airlines looks ready to rise again.
