fastjet's first international route takes off

This flight kick-starts a new era of choice for passengers who have suffered inflated prices on flights between two of Africa's largest and fastest growing cities.

"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," says Kyle Haywood, GM Africa for fastjet.

Flights between the two cities will initially be operated by fastjet three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, increasing in frequency as soon as consumer demand dictates.

fastjet flights will depart on these days from Dar es Salaam's Julius Nyerere International Airport at 09:15, and land at Johannesburg's O.R. Tambo International Airport at 11:45, with a flight time of approximately three and a half hours. The return flight from Johannesburg to Dar es Salaam departs at 12:45, landing at 17:10. Dar es Salaam is one hour ahead of Johannesburg.

Tickets on fastjet flights between Johannesburg and Dar es Salaam are priced from R1,600 one way, inclusive of all airport and government taxes, which are approximately R555.

"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," says Haywood. "It can cost almost the same for the 11 hour flight between Johannesburg and London as it does for a three and a half hour flight from Johannesburg to Dar es Salaam, which just doesn't make sense. Quite simply, passengers are being ripped off."

"fastjet will substantially reduce the route's average fare and in doing so will make it possible for more people to afford to fly between Tanzania and South Africa, whether they are travelling on business or for pleasure," he adds. "As consumer demand for this route grows, we expect to increase the frequency of flights between the two cities very quickly."

Low-cost model

Bookings can be made online at www.fastjet.com where the cheapest fares are guaranteed; by telephone via fastjet's customer service centre on +27 (0)11 289 8090; or at fastjet's offices at O.R. Tambo International Airport. In the near future it will be possible to make bookings through travel agents and ticketing vendors such as Computicket, Shoprite, Checkers or Checkers Hyper stores.

fastjet has adopted a business model of charging for items of luggage consistent with low-cost airline best practice worldwide. Passengers may take one item of hand luggage onto their flight at no charge, with any additional items of luggage checked into the hold attracting a pre-paid one-way charge of R110 per item.

"We've chosen to go this route because different passengers have different luggage requirements. Adopting this model means that our business passengers, who may only travel with a carry-on overnight bag, will not incur the same luggage costs as a diving, golf-playing, surfing holiday-maker staying for two weeks," explains Haywood. "In presenting a true low-cost model, we are giving our passengers the power to decide how much they spend - or don't spend - on their luggage."

South African passport holders do not need a visa to visit Tanzania if they intend staying for 90 days or less, and the same is true of Tanzanian passport holders visiting South Africa. However, a current yellow fever vaccination certificate is required when entering both Tanzania and South Africa on flights from each country.

fastjet commits to being transparent in its pricing, making sure that passengers know exactly what they're paying for and what they're getting for their money. Haywood says the only figure that matters is the total price passengers pay, and that fuel surcharges on airline fares is unfair and unjustified.

"Our commitment is to continue to offer 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," says Haywood.

Presently, fastjet flies domestically within Tanzania, including routes from Dar es Salaam to Mwanza, Dar es Salaam to Kilimanjaro, and Kilimanjaro to Zanzibar. Flights between Dar es Salaam and Mbeya commence on 1 November. The route between Dar es Salaam and Johannesburg is fastjet's first international route as part of its strategy to become the first pan-African, true low-cost airline.