14 Jan 2014 07:00
fastjet plc
("fastjet" or the "Company")
14th January 2014
fastjet Passenger Statistics for December 2013
fastjet plc is pleased to announce its passenger statistics for the month of December 2013.
fastjet operations in Tanzania carried a total of 37,458 passengers in the month, the highest number of passengers in one month since fastjet started operations, and achieved an average load factor of 71 per cent. The average yield per passenger was a record $97, compared to $50 in December 2012. Total revenue for the month was $3.6m, considerably more than previous months and exceeding $3 million for the first time since the start of operations.
A key contributing factor to December's strong performance was the Dar es Salaam to Mbeya route which increased in frequency from three to four flights per week on 1st December, and then to daily flights on 16th December. Despite these capacity increases, the route achieved an excellent average load factor of 68% for the full month.
The passenger numbers carried by the legacy 540 businesses fell slightly year on year with restructuring.
Punctuality remained outstanding with 92 per cent of flights operating on time Note 5.
Ed Winter, interim Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of fastjet, said: "Our yield and total revenue figures for the month were excellent and the performance on our established routes during the important Christmas period was better than expected.
Additionally, the strong performance of the Dar es Salaam to Mbeya route continues to show how well the low cost model can work in this market place. Our low fares have stimulated the market and provided a real option for the huge, pent-up demand on this route.
As previously announced, flights are now on sale for our second international route, Dar es Salaam to Lusaka, which launches on 1st February 2014. Early indicators suggest that the route will prove to be a popular link between two major commercial hubs. Many Tanzanians and Zambians undertake the uncomfortable and dangerous 24 hour road journey between the two cities each day.
Based on our achievements in 2013, as we enter 2014 I am very optimistic about the prospect of fastjet rolling out the low cost model on many more routes. Our success to date shows that the African market will react very positively to the provision of reliable, safe and well-priced air transport."
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All Operations Note 1
Month ending Dec 2013 Dec 2012 Change
Passengers Note 2 96,664 96,028 0.7%
Rolling 12 months ending Dec 2013 Dec 2012 Change
Passengers Note 2 987,059 698,041 41.4%
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fastjet Operations Note 4
Month ending Dec 2013 Dec 2012 Change
Passengers Note 2 37,458 29,559 26.7%
Load Factor Note 3 74% 78% -4pp
Rolling 12 months ending Dec 2013 Dec 2012 Change
Passengers Note 2 365,479 31,412 N/A
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Notes:
1. "All Operations" includes statistics for fastjet Tanzania, Fly540 Kenya, Fly 540 Ghana and Fly540 Angola.
2. "Passengers" for 540 operationsare flown passengers and for fastjet operations are sold seats flown, in both cases excluding infants. Fastjet bookings are generally non-refundable whereas 540 bookings are in some circumstances refundable.
3. "Load Factor" is the number of 'passengers" as a percentage of the number of available seats flown.
4. "fastjet Operations" includes only statistics for Fastjet Tanzania operations which commenced on 29th November 2012
5. "on time" - arrival earlier than or within 15 minutes of schedule.
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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. The airline introduced Airbus A319s into its fleet. And 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 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 Fly540, which operates in Kenya, Ghana and Angola.
The results of a recent 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 and the award for "Brand Strategy of the Year" at the recent Drum Marketing Awards in London.
fastjet plc is quoted on the London Stock Exchange's AIM market.
For more information see www.fastjet.com