SAA low-cost subsidiary Mango looks to international market as competition with fastjet beckons

This is the second instalment in a two-part series of reports on South African Airways' (SAA) low-cost subsidiary Mango. The first report looked at Mango's slow pace of expansion in the five years after its Nov-2006 launch and its improved outlook in the domestic market, where the carrier over the last year has begun pursuing faster growth. This report looks at the potential for Mango to operate international services from its South African base and launch new affiliates in other African countries, which would put Mango in competition with new pan-Africa LCC group fastjet.

Potential joint ventures or affiliates have always been part of Mango's long-term plan. But just as it has been relatively conservative in the domestic market, Mango has been slow to expand in the international market - both organically and in establishing joint ventures.