1 Sep 2014 07:00
fastjet plc
("fastjet" or the "Company")
1st September 2014
fastjet launches fourth international route between Tanzania and Uganda
Low-cost pan-African airline offers only direct air link between Tanzania and Uganda
fastjet, Africa's low cost airline, is delighted to announce that it is launching flights between Dar es Salaam and Entebbe. Entebbe is fastjet's fourth international destination and the new route will be the only direct air link between the two African capitals. Tickets for the new route go on sale today.
Flights are planned to commence on Tuesday the 16th September, and will operate on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the first weeks of September, increasing to four flights a week from the 29th September.
Since Air Uganda ceased flying, the fares offered by other carriers for flights in and out of the country have risen steadily. With its market stimulating fares, starting from as low as US$50 plus government taxes, fastjet is confident that it will have a strong competitive advantage and that this new route will be a commercial success.
Commenting on the launch, Ed Winter, CEO and interim chairman of fastjet said:
"We believe the launch of this route, the only direct air link between Uganda and Tanzania, will stimulate new business and tourism traffic in Uganda.
"fastjet is delighted with this opportunity to enter the Ugandan market and the support it has received from the Ugandan government and authorities. We very much look forward to commencing flights and hope this is the beginning of a wider fastjet network from Entebbe."
Tickets for the direct route go on sale today, 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 available air link between the two cities.
fastjet operates internationally from Dar es Salaam to Johannesburg, Lusaka and Harare, and has a significant Tanzanian domestic network including flights from Dar es Salaam to Mwanza, Kilimanjaro and Mbeya.
The airline was named the cheapest low-cost carrier (LCC) in Africa and the fifth cheapest LCC worldwide in a recent survey by flight comparison site, WhichAirline.com
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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.
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