February 22nd, 2012
Just before the festive season rolled around last year budget airline, Kulula implemented a new charge system for heavy luggage with no clear warning to future customers.
Die Burger reports that a few South African musicians are finding the policy especially strenuous, as they have to pay between R200 and R300 per instrument nowadays, where they used to be able to take them onto the flight at no extra charge.
Idols winner Elvis Blue expressed his dissatisfaction, saying this means that he will have to choose between his guitar and his clothes pretty soon. Taking both his electric keyboard and guitar on a Kulula flight can cost him R900 or more.
Van Coke Kartel front man, Francois van Coke, added his voice to the protest, saying that the cost of taking instruments along could easily cover the price of two tickets. He told fellow musician, Karen Zoid, on Twitter that "we have to pay R3000 extra now, but that's for the whole band."
Kulula marketing manager, Nadine Damen, has defended the airline's policy saying that the airline's approach is in line with British Airways (their sister-airline) and other international players.
She added that they have tried to keep their passengers as informed as possible about the new changes.
After various musicians took to the Twitterverse to discuss the "Uncooloola" move, as Zoid put it, Kulula sent out a tweet asking musicians to get in touch with them for special arrangements.
User Comments
ifViMljrgQOyaqhAJTSubmitted by Oleg on Thu, 03/01/2012 - 12:35. |
Thanks for your great fdaebeck, everyone. For A Lo: my comment about chain hotels turning into boutiques was meant to be tongue-in-cheek, but as with all my points there is some truth there. The chains have been adopting theideas of independent boutiques for years now, and the boutiques have to work even harder to stay ahead. Personally I don't think the chains should try to emulate the independent boutique experience; by nature they cannot provide the same responsiveness, creativity and personalization. They should focus on what they do best. Just sayin'. |
Why is itSubmitted by Anonymous on Thu, 02/23/2012 - 08:52. |
Why is it that only musicians get the benefit aftr a massive public outcry but the average joe on the street still has to suffer. I would however like to know what "international standard" they are following - you realise British Airways (your sister company) being from the UK, doesn't constitute a "international standard" It's actually quite pathetic. |
