Jambojet ups marketing ahead of Fastjet entry

Ticket prices for early bookings between December 20 and 24 have doubled on some route. PHOTO | FILE 

In Summary

• Fastjet has been granted an Air Service Licence (ASL) by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) and could this year launch flights connecting Kenya’s towns.
• The planned entry of Fastjet, Tanzania-based low-cost carrier into the Kenyan market where Jambojet is the market leader, could pose stiff competition. The carrier is ensuring that it grips the market and lures other travellers to use its brand while operating in domestic markets.
• The Tanzanian airline has applied for the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) which, once received, will put it into direct competition with Fly540 and Kenya Airways’ Jambojet.

By LILIAN OCHIENG'
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Low cost carrier Jambojet is aggressively marketing its services to drive up its revenue through access to global markets, in the face of tight competition.

The local carrier will use 67, 000 agencies worldwide that belong to UK e-commerce travel platform, to create awareness of its fares, inventory and ancillaries.

Jambojet has also signed up to Travelport’s rich content and branding which enables airlines to provide images and descriptions on travel agency screens.

Willem Hondius, CEO of Jambojet Limited, said, “Travelport’s innovative technology will help us to promote Jambojet’s content to travel agents in a clear and visual way. We are looking forward to driving growth and revenue for our business though this relationship with Travelport.”

LURE TRAVELLERS

The planned entry of Fastjet, Tanzania-based low-cost carrier into the Kenyan market where Jambojet is the market leader, could pose stiff competition. The carrier is ensuring that it grips the market and lures other travellers to use its brand while operating in domestic markets.

Fastjet has been granted an Air Service Licence (ASL) by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) and could this year launch flights connecting Kenya’s towns.

The Tanzanian airline has applied for the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) which, once received, will put it into direct competition with Fly540 and Kenya Airways’ Jambojet.

Already, Fastjet has moved closer, rattling KQ through the launch of its Nairobi – Dar flight. This has stirred up competition with KQ lowering its fares by 30 per cent to retain its existing customers and prevent them from taking Fastjet.

Jambojet flies to Nairobi, Mombasa, Ukunda, Kisumu, Lamu, Malindi and Eldoret. It specifically plans to lure foreign travellers to patch in tourism zones Mombasa, Lamu, Malindi Ukunda.

Jambojet joins over 130 airlines now signed up to Rich Content and Branding including Etihad, Kenya Airways and South African Airways.