Mango Airlines, the low-cost carrier grounded since July 2021, has announced that it is preparing for a relaunch, pending the finalisation of a deal with a new investor.
Mango Airlines prepares for relaunch
The airline has entered the last stages of this process and is taking steps to verify the value of unused tickets and vouchers from passengers who were unable to fly due to the suspension of operations.
This development marks a significant moment in Mango’s business rescue process, which started in 2021 when the company filed to prevent liquidation and restructure its debts under the supervision of a Business Rescue Practitioner (BRP).
Passenger refunds and vouchers: What you need to know
If you had a fully paid ticket or were issued a voucher before Mango suspended its operations, you may be eligible for compensation.
Here’s how it works:
- If the transaction with the investor is completed: You will receive a voucher for the same value as your original ticket or voucher. This will allow you to book a future Mango flight once operations resume.
- If the transaction fails: Your ticket will be treated like a creditor’s claim in the business rescue plan. This means you will get a portion of the ticket’s value as part of a payout — but not the full amount.
To qualify, passengers must verify their ticket or voucher details through the Mango website.
You need either the booking reference or voucher number. The verification portal is open from 4 June 2025 until 1 September 2025 at 23:59. After that deadline, unverified tickets or vouchers will not be accepted.
Why Mango suspended operations and what’s changing now
Mango’s grounding in 2021 was part of a broader financial crisis affecting South African Airways (SAA) and its subsidiaries. Since then, a Business Rescue Practitioner has overseen the company’s attempt to recover.
The relaunch depends on SAA signing a Sale of Shares Agreement with the unnamed investor. According to the latest report from the BRP, delays from SAA in finalising the agreement could still derail the process.
Legal action and formal letters have been issued to push SAA to act.
If Mango does not relaunch, a “wind-down process” will begin.
This means all operations will permanently stop, and affected passengers will receive only part of what they’re owed.
What this means for the future of Mango
Business Rescue Practitioner Sipho Sono remains hopeful. In his latest report, he states:
“There is a reasonable prospect of rescuing the Company, or that the BR Proceedings would result in a better outcome for creditors and the shareholder than liquidation.”
However, the next steps depend heavily on whether SAA signs the deal and whether the investor follows through.