While a large number of airlines filed for bankruptcy in the last year, some trace back much further than others.
Founded out of O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg in 1994, South African Express was initially envisioned as a regional carrier flying to various domestic destinations across the country spanning nearly 471,000 square miles.
It also operated as a feeder airline running smaller flights for flag carrier South African Airways, but over its 20 years in business, South African Express has been rife with financial and operational problems.
South African Express to wrap up operations, shut down
In 2018, the South African Civil Aviation Authority suspended South African Express’ operating license and grounded its aircraft over “serious safety risks” around the maintenance of its planes, reported Airline Geeks. As all planes were immediately ordered to be returned to their bases, thousands of passengers were left stranded in different regions of South Africa.
Between several efforts to shut it down and the looming shutdowns around the Covid pandemic, South African Express entered bankruptcy protection in February 2020.
The airline shut down operations a month later in March 2020, and immediately after, state business rescue lawyers asked a judge in South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg to liquidate the airline, according to ch-aviation.
Related: After Chapter 11 bankruptcy, airline makes surprising comeback
The liquidation process was set back by several attempts to rescue the airline. South African hedge fund Harith General Partners initially expressed interest in purchasing the airline in 2020, but ultimately chose to buy Irish aviation firm ASL Aviation Holdings, which is behind rival regional carrier FlySafair.
Other efforts to find a bidder to pay the reserve price of ZAR10 million (approximately $630,000 USD) in 2022 and 2024 ultimately did not pan out, and South Gauteng High Court granted liquidators permission to proceed.
As first reported by aviation website ch-aviation, joint liquidator Aviwe Ndyamara told the South African parliament’s Select Committee on Public Petitions and Executive Undertakings that this process was now “substantially wound up.”
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“We lodged the first and final liquidation and distribution account,” joint liquidator briefs
The liquidation process is now expected to be complete in April 2026, pending a sale of the South African Express brand for ZAR150,000 South African rand (approximately $9,500 USD) for a potential restart under the same name.
Regional airlines that recently filed for bankruptcy:
- Spirit Airlines (Spirit Aviation Holdings, Inc.): Filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for the second time on August 29,2025.
- Ravn Alaska: Ceased operations in August 2025 after earlier Chapter 11 proceedings; shut down flights and folded into other operations such as New Pacific.
- Corporate Air: Filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy (restructuring) in September 2025 as part of a planned sale, according to Bondoro.
- Play Airlines: The Reykjavik-based airline shut down operations and entered involuntary bankruptcy in September 2025.
- Braathens Airlines:The airline was forced to file for bankruptcy and canceled all of its flights in September 2025.
“We have now finalized and almost concluded 90% of the administration,” Ndyamara told the committee on Feb. 24. “We lodged the first and final liquidation and distribution account with the Master of the High Court in 2025.”
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With a former fleet consisting mainly of Boeing 737-200 and Cessna 208 planes, assets have now been sold off and ZAR3.7 million ($233,000 USD) cleared to go to creditors and employees who were left without pay when the airline collapsed.
Former employees had previously petitioned to the South African Human Rights Commission over being left unemployed and without final salary and benefits payments when the carrier shut down.
“South African Express was an entity of the state, and this situation is deeply concerning,” Public Petitions and Executive Undertakings Chairman Ofentse Mokae said in a statement. “While relevant departments were involved, their lack of urgency in resolving the challenges faced by affected workers leaves much to be desired.”
Related: Another airline shuts down after losing license, all flights canceled
