fastjet sees dip in passengers despite network expansion

(ShareCast News) - fastjet has seen a drop in passengers despite a recent expansion of its network.The Tanzania-based airline carried a total of 73,758 passengers in October, a drop of over 2,800 passengers from September.However, the airline has seen a 23% year-on-year increase in the number of passengers carried.It also had a load factor of 63%, slightly down from 64% in September and down from 74% in 2014.That's due to an increase in the amount of seats offered across the network by almost 14,000.The airline's new Harare and Victoria Falls were also included in the latest statistics, but with the service only starting in late-October it has not had much of an impact.Chief executive Ed Winter said the airline's load factor was significantly affected by a change in market demand in Tanzania due to the Presidential elections."We expected a downturn in the few days leading to the election and on the day itself."However, due to the unusually competitive nature of this year's elections, people tended to suspend travel plans until the inauguration. "Winter said there have been no significant reports of civil unrest in the country and said bookings are beginning to return to expected levels.