FastJet, a Tanzanian-based airline is expected to launch flights into Lusaka, Zambia next month to tap into the increasing cross border trade between the two countries.
Fastjet
Fast Jet Manager for Africa, Kyle Haywood told the Daily News in an interview the planned flights to Lusaka would boost the growing trade between Tanzania and Zambia.
“It is correct we are launching flights to Lusaka from the 1st of February as reported in Zambia,” he said confirming media reports from Zambia that the airline would fly to Lusaka.
The reports said Fastjet would fly between Dar es Salaam and Lusaka twice a week from the 1st of February. He also confirmed reports that Fast Jet was planning to establish base in Zambia that will service the southern African region.
He said negotiations with the Zambian government were going on to establish base in Lusaka that will service Malawian, Zimbabwean and South African routes to be launched soon. He noted however that the planned base in Zambia would not affect operations of its base in Tanzania.
“It will not affect our base station in Tanzania. It will be additional,” he said adding they were continuing to look for alternatives as they target the southern African regional market. Fastjet was launched in 2012 and operates flights to Kenya, Ghana and Angola.
It also operates domestic routes in Tanzania for about US$20. Meanwhile, FastJet has announced signing of two additional distribution agreements that will allow travel agents worldwide to access and sell its flights.
According to ETN Global Travel Industry News, the first agreement, signed recently with Skyscanner, the award-winning global travel search and comparison company, will enable consumers to compare FastJet’s flight schedules and prices against those of other African carriers.
It will also enable customers to link directly to FastJet’s website and book flights. Skyscanner currently has over 25 million unique visitors every month.
In addition has FastJet also signed an agreement with Hahn Air Systems, a sister company and client of Hahn Air.
Through Hahn Air Systems’ e-alliance® product, FastJet’s flight information will be available within all of the main Global Distribution Systems (GDS), including Amadeus, Sabre and Travelport.
