TANZANIA – Low-cost carrier Fastjet has stopped its Kilimanjaro-Nairobi flights, just a month after launch, handing Kenya Airways and its associate Precision Air competition relief on the Tanzania route.
The UK budget airline launched daily flights between Dar es Salaam and Kilimanjaro and the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on January 11 at rates that were relatively cheaper than its two competitors.
Fastjet took its last Kilimanjaro-Nairobi flight Sunday, with insiders intimating that the exit was as a result of low numbers on the route. It will, however, maintain its daily flights between Nairobi and Dar Es Salaam.
Fastjet’s one-way tickets to Dar es Salaam and Kilimanjaro are priced at Sh13,200 and Sh9,900 respectively.
“Our last flight between Kilimanjaro and Nairobi will happen on Sunday,” a Fastjet agent said when the Business Daily enquired why its online booking portal for this route was inactive beginning February 15.
“The company has decided to cease operating on this route and concentrate on Dar.” Fastjet General Manager for East Africa Jimmy Kibati confirmed the exit but described it as a “suspension.”
He declined to explain the reasons for the exit, promising to issue a press statement.
February 15, 2016; http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Corporate-News/Fastjet-stops-Kilimanjaro-flights/-/539550/3076674/-/d8ltt5z/-/index.html
