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Kulula.com, commonly known as Kulula, was a South African low-cost airline that operated from 2001 until its liquidation in June 2022. Headquartered at Bonaero Park, Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, Kulula was a wholly owned subsidiary of Comair Limited, which also operated as a British Airways franchisee in Southern Africa. The airline’s name, derived from the Nguni languages Zulu and Xhosa, meaning “it’s easy,” reflected its mission to provide affordable, user-friendly travel. Kulula served major domestic routes from O.R. Tambo International Airport and Lanseria International Airport, both near Johannesburg, as well as select regional destinations in Mauritius, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Known for its vibrant green livery, humorous branding, and witty in-flight announcements, Kulula became a beloved brand in South Africa’s aviation market, offering low fares and a lighthearted travel experience until financial challenges and the COVID-19 pandemic led to its closure.
Kulula was launched as South Africa’s first true low-cost airline, filling a gap in the market for budget-friendly domestic travel. Founded by Comair, which had operated since 1946, Kulula aimed to make air travel accessible to a broader audience while maintaining safety and reliability. Its debut flight in August 2001 connected Johannesburg to Cape Town, quickly gaining traction with its low fares and distinctive branding. By 2013, Kulula expanded to regional destinations, including Mauritius, Windhoek (Namibia), Harare (Zimbabwe), and Livingstone (Zambia), leveraging its Boeing 737 fleet.
The airline became famous for its playful marketing, featuring humorous aircraft liveries like “Flying 101,” which labeled parts of the plane with witty descriptions (e.g., “Captain, our hero”), and other designs such as the Cow Plane and Camo Plane. In-flight announcements were equally entertaining, with quips like, “If you leave anything behind, please make sure it’s something we’d like to have,” earning Kulula a reputation for bringing humor to air travel. In March 2019, Kulula signed an interline agreement with Delta Air Lines, enhancing connectivity for international travelers. However, the COVID-19 pandemic forced a suspension of operations in March 2020, with a brief resumption in September 2021 before financial constraints led to permanent closure in 2022.
Kulula operated from two key airports: O.R. Tambo International, Africa’s busiest airport with a capacity for 28 million passengers annually, and Lanseria, a smaller airport northwest of Johannesburg. Its domestic network covered major South African cities: Cape Town (CPT), Durban (DUR), East London (ELS), George (GRJ), Port Elizabeth (PLZ), and Johannesburg (JNB, HLA). Regional routes included Mauritius (MRU), Windhoek (WDH), Harare (HRE), and Livingstone (LVI). The airline operated approximately 100 weekly flights at its peak, focusing on high-demand leisure and business routes. Kulula’s interline agreement with Delta and codeshare with Comair’s British Airways franchise facilitated connections, though it was not part of any global alliance. Its booking platform integrated flights, car rentals, and hotel bookings, aiming for a seamless travel experience.