After years of turbulence, it seems the once-popular Mango Airlines may finally be grounded for good.
Hopes for a comeback have been dashed after Ubuntu Air, the airline’s potential investor, officially walked away from a rescue deal.
Investor Pulls the Plug
Mango’s Business Rescue Practitioners (BRPs) broke the news to stakeholders, confirming that Ubuntu Air no longer wants to move forward.
This decision effectively closes the door on any chance of reviving the low-cost carrier.
A Struggle That Dragged On
The airline has been under business rescue since July 2021, but the process has been anything but smooth.
Government delays, legal battles, and uncertainty around funding stretched the process out for years without any real breakthrough.
Left Without Support
As a subsidiary of South African Airways (SAA), Mango had hoped for backing from its parent company or the state.
But that never came, leaving the airline’s future entirely dependent on finding a private investor.
Ubuntu Air seemed like the lifeline Mango needed.
A Deal That Fell Apart
Ubuntu Air’s plan was ambitious: buy out SAA’s shares, inject new capital, and get Mango’s planes flying again. But the deal quickly hit turbulence.
Disagreements between the Department of Public Enterprises and the BRPs, coupled with creditors fighting the proposal in court, created endless obstacles.
Creditors were also asked to take major losses, give up future claims, and trust in a payout that wasn’t guaranteed — terms many simply couldn’t accept.
The Breaking Point
At first, Ubuntu Air indicated it was willing to wait until the legal dust settled. But the delays dragged on for too long.
By 31 July 2025, the group officially withdrew, admitting it was no longer realistic to restart operations or secure the final round of funding.
End of the Runway
With no other investors lined up and no support from SAA or the government, Mango Airlines looks set to shut down permanently.
For many South Africans, it’s a sad end to a budget-friendly carrier that once made local air travel more accessible.
What Do You Think?
Do you believe this is truly the end for Mango Airlines, or could another surprise investor still step in at the last minute?
