18 Jul 2014 08:53
fastjet plc
("fastjet" or the "Company")
New flights added to the fastjet network
18 July 2014
fastjet, Africa's low cost airline, is pleased to announce that it is increasing the number of flights on its Dar es Salaam to Mwanza, and Dar es Salaam to Lusaka routes. fastjet is also delighted to report that to date, ticket sales for its new Dar es Salaam to Harare route, due to start operating in August, have been very strong.
Dar es Salaam to Mwanza
In response to customer demand, fastjet is adding four additional return flights per week on its popular route linking Dar es Salaam and Mwanza. These extra flights will operate on Sundays, Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays, bringing the total number of return flights each week to 25. Tickets will go on sale today and flights are scheduled to commence on the 1st August.
Dar es Salaam to Lusaka
From the 17 August, fastjet will also operate an additional return flight on Sundays between Dar es Salaam and Lusaka, bringing the number of flights linking Tanzania to Zambia to four per week. Tickets for this flight will also be available to purchase from today.
Commenting on this significant increase in capacity, Richard Bodin, fastjet's Chief Commercial Officer said "We are thrilled to be adding these flights to our existing schedule. fastjet has been the dominant operator on the important Dar es Salaam to Mwanza route for some time and these extra rotations will give our passengers greater choice and flexibility when travelling to and from Dar es Salaam.
"Adding another flight per week to Lusaka demonstrates the popularity of our international offeringand that the Zambian market is embracing fastjet's service and prices. This provides a solid foundation for our planned domestic operation in Zambia, which is expected to obtain government approval in the very near future"
Dar es Salaam to Harare
To accommodate the attendance of a number of senior Zimbabwean dignitaries at the launch of the route, fastjet's first flight between Dar-es-Salaam and Harare will be now take place on the 5th of August, rather than the 2nd as previously stated.
Ticket sales for this route have been very strong, with the many of the first flights from Harare to Dar-es-Salaam having sold out weeks before flights commence.
Ed Winter, Interim Chairman and Chief Executive said "Increasing frequency in this way is in line with our stated objective of maximising the use of our resources, particularly our aircraft, which allows us to more efficiently manage our fixed costs and overheads.
"Sales on our newest route have far surpassed expectations and only a handful of seats remain for travel to Tanzania from Zimbabwe in August, with this trend continuing well into September bookings. We hope to meet this demand by adding additional flights on this route in due course."
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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. 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