Low cost airline makes maiden flight to J’burg

LOW cost airline—Fastjet— has expanded the scope of its services beyond borders, making its maiden flight to Johannesburg in South Africa from Dar es Salaam.

Fastjet Chief Executive Officer Ed Winter, speaking at the maiden flight at OR Tambo International Airport here over the weekend, said the airline’s flights between the two cities would be operated three times a week— Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays.

“Today is a further step in the transformation of the African aviation sector from its current high-cost, protected and monopolistic business model to an industry in which fair competition in passengers’ best interests becomes the norm,” said the Fastjet CEO.

Tickets on Fastjet flights between Dar es Salaam and Johannesburg cost as low as 160,000/- for one way trip, exclusive of all airport and government taxes, which average 77,000/- and 84,760/- from Dar es Salaam and Johannesburg, respectively.

“For many years, the Dar es Salaam to Johannesburg route has been operated by just one airline, and the lack of competition has led to inflated fares,” said Winter adding, “It costs almost the same fare for a 14-hour flight from Dar es Salaam to Europe as it does for a 3½ hour flight from Dar Es Salaam to Johannesburg that doesn’t make sense…it is simply ripping off passengers.”

He said Fastjet will substantially reduce the route’s average fare and make it possible for more people to afford flying between the two countries, noting that bookings can be made online at www.fastjet.com, through any Fastjet office or travel agent.

The average return fare to Dar es Salaam is 1,066,952/-, all charges inclusive. Fastjet, on comparison, charges 514,390/- for return ticket to Dar es Salaam.

Mr Winter said the airline is determine to have transparent operations, its pricing in particular, to ensure that passengers know exactly what they’re paying for and what they’re getting for their money.

“Our commitment is to continue offering the lowest possible prices on the routes we service for the long-term, and this promise will remain in place as we expand our African route network from Tanzania,” said the CEO.

Fastjet presently flies domestically within Tanzania, connecting to Mwanza, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar from Dar es Salaam. The Dar—J’burg route is the airline’s first international route as part of its strategy.