BRITISH Airways has strengthened its presence in South Africa by taking a £17m stake in franchise carrier Comair.
The 18.3% holding cements a three-year relationship between BA and Comair on routes from Johannesburg to Durban, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. Comair flies in BA colours.
The deal sees two BA executives join the South African carrier’s board.
BA bought the stake from South African investors Gensec and CNI.
Last year, BA bought out franchise airline CityFlyer in a £75m deal to join other subsidiary Brymon Airways.
*BA franchise carrier British Regional Airlines is launching a thrice-daily Cardiff-Dublin service on July 3. A 29-seat Jetstream 41 aircraft will operate the route. Fares lead in at £72.