6 Aug 2014 07:00
6 August 2014
fastjet plc
("fastjet" or the "Company")
Flights between Tanzania and Zimbabwe commence
fastjet's, Africa's low cost airline, is delighted to announce that its inaugural flight between Dar es Salaam in Tanzania and Harare in Zimbabwe took place on Tuesday, marking the launch of the low-cost airline's third international route in Africa, and the only direct air link between the two African capital cities.
Forward bookings for the twice-weekly flights are well ahead of management expectations and with the first flights from Zimbabwe already operating to full capacity, fastjet has decided to add a third rotation which will go on sale today.
"fastjet has responded to requests from Zimbabweans and Tanzanians asking for a direct route connecting these two cities with affordable, reliable flights," said Ed Winter, Chief Executive Officer of fastjet. "Yesterday's flight from Harare was fully booked, as is Saturday's. With future bookings also looking strong we've decided to add a third rotation each Thursday which we expect to commence at the end of next month."
Prior to fastjet launching this route, those wishing to travel between Dar es Salaam and Harare had to spend at least two days travelling the approximately 2200km distance by road, or if travelling by air, via Nairobi in Kenya or Johannesburg in South Africa, often involving lengthy layovers.
"We believe the launch of this route will stimulate business and tourism in regions where citizens have had to depend on lengthy road transportation or have been excluded from air travel by the significant costs of flying an indirect route through Nairobi or Johannesburg," Winter added.
"The Government of Zimbabwe is delighted that fastjet is expanding its international route network to include Harare, and that in doing so it is bringing its low-cost, reliable and safe service to the people of Zimbabwe," said Zimbabwe's Minister of Transport, the Honourable Dr Obert Mpofu.
Tickets for flights on the direct route went on sale in June 2014, with fares starting as low as US$50 one-way, excluding airport and government taxes - considerably more affordable than the non-direct flights that are currently the only air link between the two cities.
fastjet operates internationally from Dar es Salaam to Johannesburg, Lusaka and now Harare, and has a significant Tanzanian domestic network including flights from Dar es Salaam to Mwanza, Kilimanjaro and Mbeya.
-= suggest delete which airline survey refs.
ENDS
For media enquiries please contact:
UK media - Citigate Dewe Rogerson Tel: +44 20 7638 9571
Angharad Couch
Eleni Menikou
South Africa media - Tribeca Public Relations Tel: +27 11 208 5521
Cian Mac Eochaidh
For investor enquiries please contact:
W.H. Ireland Ltd. Tel: +44 20 7220 1666
James Joyce
Nick Field
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 Kenya, 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