12th Nov 2013 10:38
LONDON (Alliance News) - African low-cost airline fastjet PLC Tuesday said it will add new services to a domestic route it has just launched in Tanzania because of strong demand, while it is also considering increasing capacity on its first cross-border route.
The airline, which is backed by easyJet founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou, launched the first flight between Dar es Salaam and Mbeya in Tanzania November 1, its fifth domestic route in Tanzania. However, it said it will now launch a Sunday flight from November 24, and operate an extra three flights a week from December 17, meaning there will be seven flights a week between the two cities.
Its said flights to Mbeya so far had achieved an average load factor of 97.5%, with a number of flights selling out completely. Load factor is an indicator of how full the planes are.
"Although we knew demand for the route was likely to be high, initial passenger numbers have certainly exceeded expectations," Chief Commercial Officer Richard Bodin said in a statement.
The airline said it is also considering a capacity increase on its first international service between Dar es Salaam and Johannesburg, a route it only launched last month. It said it is seeing "solid" demand on the route.
Fastjet shares were up 4.6% at 3.765 pence Tuesday morning.
By Steve McGrath; [email protected]; @SteveMcGrath1
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