26 Sep 2013 11:15
fastjet plc
("fastjet" or the "Company")
26 September 2013
Update on first international route
fastjet, Africa's low cost airline, announces that its first international flight between Dar es Salaam and Johannesburg, previously scheduled to take place on Friday 27 September 2013, has been temporarily postponed.
This postponement is due to unexpected administrative delays caused by the South African Department of Transport which this week made a very late request for additional documentation.
Although, fastjet delivered these documents without delay, the South African Department of Transport has said it will take several days to process these documents, thus delaying the start of fastjet flights on this international route. The delayed launch of this route is not expected to have any material effect on the financial performance of fastjet Tanzania.
Commenting on the news, fastjet Chief Executive Ed Winter said:
"This postponement is very disappointing. Unfortunately however, administrative delays of this nature are not unusual in the markets in which we operate.
"Having complied with all the requests made of us and secured all the necessary licenses and permits in an extremely diligent and timely fashion, fastjet was led to believe that we were fully on-track to launch this route on the 27th September.
"fastjet would like to apologise to our customers for the inconvenience. All passengers affected by this delay will receive a full refund and assistance with re-booking a complimentary seat to fly within the next month."
Launching flights on this route remains a key priority, and fastjet is confident it will be operating this service by mid-October, starting a new era of choice for passengers who continue to suffer inflated prices on flights between two of Africa's largest and fastest growing cities
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Notes to Editors
About fastjet plc - fastjet plc is the holding company for African airline Fly540, which operates in Tanzania, Kenya, Ghana and Angola. Flights under the fastjet brand commenced in Tanzania in November 2012. The airline has 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.
In the year to March 2013, fastjet and its subsidiaries carried almost 800,000 passengers, 50% more than a year previously, and 99.2 per cent of its flights left on time with no cancellations. 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