Hayibo.com - Grounded Nationwide will continue to taxi domestic routes

Grounded Nationwide will continue to taxi domestic routes

CAPE TOWN. Grounded airline Nationwide says it will keep serving its domestic routes, in all likelihood taxiing between destinations. Speaking to reporters this morning, a company spokesman confirmed the decision. "We're looking at roughly eight hours from Cape Town to Johannesburg, as long as we don't have a blowout or hit a cow."

According the spokesman, Nationwide is seeking to redefine the concept of a "taxi" in the mind of the South African commuter.

"Flying is the safest way to travel," he said. "However, in the very few instances where air travel has proved unsafe, that is, when passengers have died, our research has shown us that the main cause of these deaths is unscheduled impact with the ground or with the side of a mountain.

"Clearly if we can remove flying from the equation, air travel will be unrivaled its safety and comfort."

He said Nationwide believes that there are thousands of commuters who enjoy the convenience and ambience of air travel, but who don't require expensive additional extras such as take-off and landing.

"The benefits of domestic taxiing are immense," he explained. "For example, if an engine falls off, you just stop and bolt it back on."

He added that baggage theft was also likely to decline.

"If you see someone nicking your suitcase, ask the air-hostess to open the door and simply throw half a brick at him, or a can of Sprite, or a fire-axe, or whatever else is within easy reach."

Meanwhile two of the country's largest taxi associations, CATA and CODETA, have vowed "rolling mass action" if Nationwide flights taxi on their routes.

However in a statement the airline said that it was not concerned about the threat.

"If CATA and CODETA wish to engage in rolling mass action, we cannot stop them," said the statement.

"However, while on the subject of not stopping, we would strongly advise them against testing the rolling mass of a 1974 Toyota Hi-Ace minivan against the rolling mass of a Boeing 737."