South Africa’s favourite budget airline fights to fly again

Updated July 10, 2025, 5:32 a.m. | By East Coast Breakfast

Mango Airlines is fighting to fly again after a court grounded their comeback plans

South Africa’s skies haven’t quite been the same without those bright orange planes cruising overhead.

Now if you’ve been holding out hope for Mango Airlines’ return, there’s a bit of drama to catch you up on.

On 17 June 2025, the Gauteng High Court handed down a ruling that’s clipped Mango’s wings… temporarily.

The court effectively hit the brakes on the airline’s Business Rescue Plan, which had been gearing up for a much-anticipated comeback.

What’s the issue?

The court took issue with a particular clause in Mango’s rescue plan.

This clause would’ve handed over certain rights to third parties, which they declared invalid, pausing the entire plan until the legal dust settles.

Although, before you trade your Mango boarding pass dreams for a bus ticket, here’s the good news: they’re not done fighting.

According to TimeOut Johannesburg, Business Rescue Practitioner Sipho Sono isn’t taking this one lying down.

An appeal is already in motion, with legal paperwork being prepped to challenge the ruling.

If successful, this could get Mango’s revival back on track and into the air.

While this little courtroom turbulence might delay their return, it’s definitely not the end of the runway for Mango.

Thousands of hopeful travellers and employees are still rooting for the airline’s comeback story.

Mainly because SA’s budget travel scene could use a little extra colour (orange, in particular).

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