29 Aug 2014 07:00
29 August 2014
fastjet launches "SmartClass" and "Freighty" services
fastjet, Africa's low cost airline, is delighted to announce the following innovative additions to its ancillary services:
SmartClass
From 1st September, fastjet will offer its passengers the opportunity to purchase a premium fare, or 'SmartClass', on all its flights. By upgrading to SmartClass, passengers will enjoy advance premium seat allocation, an increased baggage allowance of up to 32kg, and the ability to change flight dates as many times as required at no additional cost
Smartclass fares will start at $160 one way plus government taxes for domestic flights and $450 for international routes.
Freighty
In addition to this, from today, fastjet's international passengers can carry up to 80 Kilos of hold luggage by purchasing its 'freighty' upgrade package. This package is designed to appeal to those that fly with fastjet to either collect or purchase wholesale produce from the port and markets in Dar es Salaam to sell in their home markets. fastjet discovered that while these traders were using fastjet to travel to Dar es Salaam, they were using ground transportation to get back home. In the case of Harare for example, this equates to a 3 day bus journey. The freighty upgrade will offer passengers the opportunity to return home on a fastjet flight.
The cost of the freight upgrade package is $80 for baggage weighing up to eighty kilograms.
Commenting on these new products, Chief Commercial Officer Richard Bodin said:
"After extensive research, we concluded that whilst all our passengers love our prices, on time performance and service, some require an enhanced experience when booking and flying with us. By creating SmartClass we can provide additional flexibility, quick disembarkation from the front rows, and the ability to travel with a baggage allowance more appropriate to the needs of today's business traveller - all as part of a single, simple, all-inclusive fare.
"We have also learnt a great deal from talking to our international passengers on flights from Harare and Lusaka and their feedback has led us to introduce the innovative 'freighty' product. It's a simple product enhancement, which is easy to administer and will allow our passengers to benefit from the large capacity of our aircrafts holds.
We will continue to innovate and adapt the low cost model to fit the demands of our African customers, the market opportunities and the infrastructure in which we operate and in doing so also effectively diversify fastjet's revenue streams."
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NOTES TO EDITORS
About fastjet plc
fastjet plc is the holding company of the low-cost airline fastjet which commenced flight operations in Tanzania in November 2012. The airline operates a fleet of distinctively branded Airbus A319s and since its launch has grown to encompass the key domestic routes within Tanzania and a rapidly increasing number of international destinations. 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.
fastjet is implementing the low-cost carrier model across Africa and its long-term strategy is to become the continent's first low-cost, pan-African airline. fastjet plc is also the holding company of airline Fly540, which operates in Ghana and Angola.
By offering one way fares from as low as $20, fastjet has stimulated a new customer base; the results of a customer survey showed that 38% of fastjet passengers had never flown before. This democratisation of air travel is expected to gather momentum across the final continent to experience the low-cost airline revolution.
fastjet is committed to communicating effectively with its existing and potential customers and has, to date, won a number of marketing awards. With over 140,000 social media followers, it occupies a unique position in African aviation.
fastjet plc is quoted on the London Stock Exchange's AIM market.
For more information see www.fastjet.com.