Meet the first black woman to own an airline: Fly Blu Crane’s Siza Mzimela
In September of this year, Siza Mzimela became the first black woman to start her own airline...
In September of this year, Siza Mzimela became the first black woman to start her own airline.
Fly Blu Crane started up its business in O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg as a low-cost airline offering flights domestically within South Africa.
But Mzimela’s dreams extend far beyond South Africa.
“We hope to expand our flight destinations to Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo. We currently have two 50-seat ERJ 145s. The airline will aim to keep its current rates in order to make flying affordable for both business and leisure travel,” she said.
Beyond owning her own airline, Mzimela is also making history as the first woman appointed to the International Air Transport Association’s Board of Directors in 67 years. She also founded Blue Crane Aviation, which specializes in African airlines and provides management, legal, and consulting services.
She was also the first female Chief Executive Officer of South African Express Airways and of South African Airlines, introducing non-stop flights to destinations like Beijing and New York for the first time in the history of SAA. Add to that her role as a board member of the South African Tourism Board and the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls, and you’ve got one impressive woman indeed.
