Low-cost carrier Fastjet has announced daily flights from Dar es Salaam and Kilimanjaro to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) at prices relatively cheaper than competition Kenya Airways (KQ) and its associate Precision Air which also fly the same routes.
“Fastjet Tanzania has been given clearance by the Kenyan government to operate flights between Kenya and Tanzania under the Bilateral Air Services Agreement between the two countries,” the airline said in a statement.
“Return flights from Nairobi’s JKIA to Dar es Salaam’s Julius Nyerere International Airport and Kilimanjaro International Airport will initially operate daily, using Fastjet’s Airbus A319 aircraft with 156-passenger capacity.”
Fastjet, which last April raised Sh7.5 billion to fund its penetration of the African market, operates a budget model where passengers who make advance bookings pay less.
Passengers who want extras like food, baggage and seat choices pay extra, making it cheaper to fly for those seeking minimal additions.
The London Stock Exchange-listed carrier has been using this model in its flights to South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe.
A fare comparison shows that Fastjet is charging $268 for a return flight (departure on January 18 and return on January 22) to Dar es Salaam and $203.4 to Kilimanjaro.
Passengers are charged approximately $2 for a pre-assigned seat, $16 for checked-in luggage of up to 20 kilogrammes and $29 for food and drinks ordered during the flight.
A Kenya Airways return-trip on the same dates will cost a passenger travelling to Dar es Salaam $308 and $4 more for a similar flight to Kilimanjaro.
