Fastjet eyes increasing Dar - Lusaka route frequencies

LOW-cost airline Fastjet completed its maiden flight between Dar es Salaam, in Tanzania, and Lusaka, in Zambia, on February 1, marking the launch of the airline’s second international route on the continent.

The carrier said in a statement on Monday that it expected to increase the frequency of flights on this route in line with consumer demand.

Services between Lusaka’s Kenneth Kaunda International Airport and Dar es Salaam’s Julius Nyerere International Airport would initially operate twice a week on Thursdays and Saturdays, using the airline’s Airbus A319 jet aircraft, offering seating for 156 passengers.

The launch of this route followed Fastjet’s first international route between Johannesburg, in South Africa, and Dar es Salaam, which took off in October last year.

Fastjet CEO Ed Winter said the airline had been able to expand its international network by working closely with the governments of Tanzania and Zambia, which “understood and valued” the positive impact that low-cost air travel could have on the economy.

“With their help in making this new route possible, we have added momentum to Fastjet’s vision of democratising air travel on the African continent. We believe that this will lead to more affordable fares and greater cost efficiencies for passengers, businesses and governments,” he commented.

The establishment of the Lusaka to Dar es Salaam route was also expected to boost the growing trade relationship between the neighbouring countries.

“An effective aviation sector that offers passengers the power of choice and the freedom of affordability is essential to the continued growth of the relationship between Zambia and Tanzania, and to the growth of our respective tourism and business industries,” noted Zambia Tourist Board chairperson Mark O'Donnell.

The carrier also announced recently that it was in discussions with the Zambian government around the establishment of a Zambian-registered Fastjet operation that would offer both domestic and international flights from Lusaka.

Potential destinations included Ndola and Livingstone, in Zambia, and Johannesburg.

“The business and political environments in Zambia are very progressive and our discussions to date have been very positive. The aim of our operation would be to promote trade and tourism, improve the safety and reliability of the Zambian aviation industry, and create employment opportunities,” said Winter.