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| Founded | 6 July 2001 (2001-07-06) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ceased operations | 9 June 2022 (2022-06-09) | ||||||
| Operating bases | O. R. Tambo International Airport | ||||||
| Fleet size | 10 | ||||||
| Destinations | 6 | ||||||
| Parent company | Comair | ||||||
| Headquarters | Bonaero Park,Kempton Park,Ekurhuleni,Gauteng,South Africa | ||||||
| Key people | Wrenelle Stander | ||||||
| Website | www | ||||||
Kulula.com (stylized askulula.com) and commonly referred to asKulula was a South Africanlow-cost airline, operating on major domestic routes fromO. R. Tambo International Airport andLanseria International Airport, both serving the city ofJohannesburg.[1] The airline's headquarters were located atBonaero Park,Kempton Park,Ekurhuleni,Gauteng.[2] The name 'Kulula' comes from theNguni languages ofZulu andXhosa, meaningIt's easy.[a] Kulula suspended operations on 1 June 2022 pending securing of additional funding[3][4] The company was placed into liquidation on 9 June 2022.[5]
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Kulula.com was established in July 2001 and commenced operations as South Africa's first 'no-frills' carrier in August of that year.The stated aim was to position kulula.com as more than just an airline brand, but to include booking, paying and making 'the complete travel experience' affordable.[6]
In 2010, Kulula.com was forced byFIFA to stop a campaign describing itself as the "Unofficial National Carrier of the You-Know-What",[7][8] which took place "Not next year, not last year, but somewhere in between",[9] obviously referring to the2010 FIFA World Cup which took place in South Africa at that time. Another advert announced "affordable flights [to] everybody exceptSepp Blatter" (the FIFA president), who was offered a free seat "for the duration of that thing that is happening right now".[10]
In July 2012 Kulula.com announced[11] that it was operating the first of seven brand newBoeing 737-800s, with three to be in operation before the end of that year, and the remaining four to be delivered in 2015 and 2016.
Kulula.com and parent company Comair suspended operations towards the end of March 2020 due to financial constraints caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The airline resumed operations in September 2021.[12] On 1 June 2022, Kulula.com suspended all flights and entered business rescue[13][4][3] Kulula.com was accused of using a sale a day before to raise cash before stopping flights.[14][15] Since suspension, only people who booked throughDiscovery Vitality were given the opportunity to obtain a refund.[16] On 9 June 2022 the business rescue practitioners announced that there was no reasonable prospect of rescue of either Kulula or Comair and that the companies be placed into liquidation.[5]
Kulula.com was a wholly owned subsidiary ofComair Ltd,[6] which also operated flights as afranchisee ofBritish Airways. Kulula.com, the British Airways franchise Southern Africa and Comair Ltd suspended operations in July 2020 due to financial issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Financial and operational results for Kulula.com are not separately disclosed, but are fully incorporated within the annual results for Comair (for years ending 30 June).[citation needed]
As of March 2019, Kulula served the following destinations:[17]
Kulula heldcodeshare agreements with the following airlines:
_%2527ZS-ZWA%2527_Kulula_(15895561680).jpg)
As of October 2018, the Kulula.com fleet consisted of the following aircraft:[citation needed]
| Aircraft | In Service | Orders | Passengers (Economy) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing 737-400 | 0 | — | 162 | |
| Boeing 737-800 | 0 | — | 186 | |
189 | ||||
| Total | 0 | — | ||
Kulula previously operated the following aircraft:
Kulula.com became known for its distinctive, brightly coloured, and often comedicaircraft liveries.[20] One of its former aircraft, known asFlying 101, was covered with a legend describing the different parts of the aircraft.[21]
Kulula.com operated the Aviosfrequent-flyer programme, which was created from the merger of theAir Miles, BA Miles and Iberia Plus Points schemes on 16 November 2011. A restructure in 2015 meant that all of IAG's affiliated loyalty programmes which use Avios, including Avios Travel Reward Programme, Iberia Plus and British Airways Executive Club were transferred toAvios Group, an IAG subsidiary.[22][23]
Kulula.com offered food and drinks as abuy-on-board programme.[24]The airline's in-flight magazine,khuluma, had a readership base of 200,000 per month.
Media related toKulula.com at Wikimedia Commons
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