1time airline (Johannesburg O.R. Tambo) can be restructured according to PAKAfrica Aviation, the firm behind plans to acquire 1Time Holdings for use as a holding company for its planned stable of regional airlines. According to the Dubai/Pakistani-backed firm, its move to acquire 1Time Holdings pertained to the view that a Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed firm would bring with it greater transparency and corporate governance. Once acquired, 1Time Holdings would become the holding company for both PAK Aviation Africa and its Zimbabwean subsidiary, 1time Zimbabwe (Harare International) - a 49/51 partnership with Central Air Transport Services (CEN, Harare Charles Prince). PAK Africa Aviation (Pty) Ltd is currently in the process of applying for a South African Air Operator's Certificate with its Zimbabwean subsidiary already possessing one by virtue of its majority shareholder, Oscar Madombwe. According to The African Aviation Tribune, once all the technicalities have been finalized, 1Time Holdings will then be equipped with a new fleet of aircraft - initially ATR42s and ATR72s - for onward placement at both PAK Africa Aviation and 1Time Zimbabwe. An official launch date will be announced once the JSE transaction is finalized though Zimbabwean flights have been provisionally scheduled for October 2013. The initial plan is to start domestic flights in both South Africa and Zimbabwe with regional short-haul routes ("within a 5 hour radius") to follow thereafter. Flights to India and Pakistan will be considered after two years of operations.
PAKAfrica outlines planned South African, Zimbabwean operations
1time airline McDonnell Douglas MD-83,
© Tis Meyer (PlanePics.org)