23 Dec 2015 07:00
fastjet Plc
("fastjet" or the "Company")
23 December 2015
fastjet launches flights to Kenya
fastjet (AIM: FJET), Africa's low-cost airline, is delighted to announce that fastjet Tanzania has been given clearance by the Kenyan government to operate flights between Kenya and Tanzania under the Bilateral Air Services Agreement between the two countries, as previously approved by the Tanzanian Government. Two new routes, Dar es Salaam to Nairobi, and Kilimanjaro to Nairobi are on sale from today, with one way fares starting from as low as at USD80 and USD50 respectively, plus tax.
From 11 January 2016, fastjet Tanzania will operate a daily flight between Dar es Salaam and Nairobi and between Kilimanjaro and Nairobi. Flights between Zanzibar and Nairobi and Dar es Salaam and Mombasa are also expected to be added to the network later in 2016.
Ed Winter, Chief Executive Officer of fastjet Plc, said: "fastjet Tanzania has been working towards the launch of these routes for some time and we are extremely pleased that clearance has now been granted to commence operations.
"To date, passenger traffic between the major cities of Dar es Salaam and Nairobi, which have a combined population of over 8 million people, has been limited by high air fares which, we believe, have excluded large parts of the local population from air travel. The only alternative to flying is to undertake a long and difficult journey by road, which can take up to 12 hours. As has been the case with other routes that we have launched, we expect to stimulate the market as passengers embrace fastjet's great value, safe, reliable flights and move from road to the air.
"Nairobi and Dar es Salaam are not only key travel destinations, and two of the busiest* airports in the region, but also hubs with extensive regional and international networks. Expanding the network into Kenya marks an important milestone in fastjet's strategic development and is a significant achievement for the Company, its staff and shareholders."
*Busiest by passenger numbers. Source: Ready for Take Off? The Potential for Low-Cost Carriers in Developing Countries, 2012, World Bank Group Report.
For more information, contact:
fastjet Plc | Tel: +44 (0) 20 3651 6307 |
Ed Winter, CEO |
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Rose Herbert, Investor Relations Manager |
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UK media - Citigate Dewe Rogerson | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7638 9571 |
Angharad Couch |
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Eleni Menikou |
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Nick Hayns |
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South African media - Tribeca Public Relations | Tel: +27 (0) 11 208 5500 |
Cian Mac Eochaidh |
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Kelly Webster |
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For investor enquiries please contact: |
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Liberum Capital Limited - Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker | Tel: +44 (0) 20 3100 2222 |
Clayton Bush |
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Christopher Britton |
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W.H. Ireland Ltd.- Joint Broker | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7220 1666 |
James Joyce |
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Mark Leonard |
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Sanlam Securities UK Limited - Joint Broker | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7628 2200 |
Ken Williams |
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NOTES TO EDITORS
About fastjet Plc
fastjet Plc is the holding company of the low cost airline fastjet which commenced flights under the fastjet brand in Tanzania in November 2012. fastjet Zimbabwe was successfully launched in October 2015. By adhering to international standards of safety, quality, security and reliability; fastjet has brought a new flying experience to the African market at unprecedented low prices. Utilising its fleet of Airbus A319s, fastjet is implementing the low-cost model across Africa and its long-term strategy is to become the continent's first low-cost, pan-African airline.
The results of a customer satisfaction survey showed that 100% of customers were likely to recommend fastjet to a friend. In developing its strong brand and identity, fastjet has won and been nominated for a number of awards, including winning three Transform awards for the rebrand and launch of fastjet, the award for "Brand Strategy of the Year" at 2014's Drum Marketing Awards in London, and the Transport Innovator Award at the 8th Transport Africa Awards 2015 in Johannesburg.
fastjet Plc is quoted on the London Stock Exchange's AIM Market.
For more information see www.fastjet.com