Fastjet Plane. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
British budget airline Fastjet PLC has increased the frequency
of its flights between Nairobi and Dar, even as it also flies through
management and financial storms.
The company which
announced a profit warning citing challenges in its African operations
will also see its CEO Ed Winter leave this week due to persistent
pressure from a founding shareholder. The airline has increased the
frequency to two daily returns between the two cities.
Sir
Stelios Haji-Ioannou with a 12 per cent stake in the firm has accused
the CEO Ed Winter of burning the company's funds saying the money won't
last before the airline flies into cashflow problems.
Fastjet’s
entry into Kenya sparked off price wars among regional airlines, KQ
included. Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) last month ordered the
airline to include taxes in its fares saying it was pitching unfair
competition within the market.
“We have always promised
to increase the frequency on our route between Dar es Salaam and
Nairobi as consumer demand grew for our affordable, safe, quick and
on-time service,” said Jimmy Kibati, Fastjet general manager for East
Africa.
SINGLE FLIGHT
The airline now opts to tap into the corporate clients who travel using early morning and late evening flights.
Its
lowest fares inclusive of taxes are Sh13,200 one-way, slightly below
its competitor’s KQ which charges at least Sh35,000 one way.
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