fastjet to commence flights from Tanzania to Zimbabwe in August

fastjet, Africa’s low-cost airline, will begin operating servicesbetween Tanzania and Zimbabwe in August as it expands itsinternational route network across Africa.

The airline will launch a twice weekly operation from Dar es Salaam toHarare with tickets for as low as US$50 (excluding government chargesand taxes), significantly cheaper than fares from operators offeringnon-direct flights between the two cities. The announcement marks thethird international route for fastjet which already flies fromTanzania to Zambia and South Africa.

Despite strong commercial and cultural ties between the two cities,there is currently no direct air link between Dar es Salaam andHarare. The port at Dar es Salaam is used extensively by Zimbabweantraders and Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and Zanzibar to the east ofTanzania are popular tourist destinations.

 “We are delighted to be launching our third international route toHarare. The people of Tanzania and Zimbabwe are crying out for adirect air link between the two countries and today’s news moves usone step closer to becoming the continent’s first truly pan-Africancarrier,” fastjet Interim Executive Chairman and Chief Executive EdWinter said. “When we began low cost operations 18 months ago, we promised the
people of Africa that we would democratise air travel across thecontinent and we are well on our way to achieving that. We now lookforward to offering fastjet’s service of affordable, high-quality airtravel to the people of Zimbabwe.”

Last week fastjet was placed 5th in a league of the world’s cheapestairlines (WorldAirline.com) and the only African airline to feature inthe listed top 25, validating that we really are bringing great valueto our customers “The first flight is scheduled to take place on 5August 2014 with services operating on Tuesdays and Saturdays.Zimbabwe’s Transport Minister, Dr O. Mpofu, said the Government ofZimbabwe is delighted that fastjet is expanding its internationalroute network to include Harare and that in doing so is bringing itslow-cost, reliable and safe service to the people of Zimbabwe.

“fastjet’s entry into Zimbabwe demonstrates the Ministry ofTransport’s on-going commitment to the improvement of our country’saviation industry and to the development of trade relationships withour neighbours. We look forward to continuing our discussions withfastjet regarding the airline’s further expansion in Zimbabwe. “fastjet began operating low cost flights in 2012 and is nowestablished as a reliable, affordable low-cost carrier. Over the pastyear, it has seen consistently strong passenger numbers and loadfactors, and maintained excellent punctuality and reliability records.The airline has carried over 635,000 passengers through its domesticnetwork in Tanzania and internationally to Johannesburg and Lusaka,many of whom were first-time fliers.