Fastjet still awaits clearance for Nairobi flights as results again improve
Fastjet still awaits clearance for Nairobi flights as results again improve
- Thread starter Geza Ulole
- Start date
January came and went, which month were we talking about again?
Geza Ulole
Platinum Member
- Oct 31, 2009
- 76,173
- 107,750
- Thread starter
- #263
[h=2]Two steps forward and three steps back – Kenya's aviation policies under the microscope[/h]Posted February 4, 2015 by Aviation, Tourism and Conservation news - DAILY from Eastern Africa and the Indian Ocean islands in Uncategorized. Leave a Comment
MIXED SIGNALS ABOUT KENYA'S APPROACH TO OPEN SKIES CAUSE CONCERN IN THE REGION
(Posted 04th February 2015)
image27
image28
Remarks attributed to Kenya's Deputy President Ruto, who earlier in the week opened an aviation workshop in Nairobi, have caused consternation and concern in the East African region and beyond.
Ruto was quoted to this correspondent to have, among other things, said that while Kenya would welcome more airlines to fly to the country it will also not 'tolerate unfair competition'.
From reactions received it is clear that both Uganda and Rwanda will seek an explanation if this could be the reason for the Kenyan aviation regulators imposing a capacity cap, after first delaying RwandAir's fifth freedom right flights from Entebbe to Nairobi by several weeks, or if Kenya could be welshing on the approved return fare, all taxes included, of US Dollars 250 charged by RwandAir on the route.
Officials at the flight launch in Entebbe last week made clear reference to the obstacles they had to overcome, as the Kenyan aviation regulators made them jump over multiple hurdles and through a series of hoops, ostensibly to protect their own airlines, two of which fly on the route from Nairobi to Entebbe.
'They are biased in favour of their own. They are the main reason fares were so high until RwandAir came on the market. Kenya is not a fair partner and I am beginning to see some merit in the reluctance of Tanzania to bow to pressure on demands which will only benefit Kenya' ranted a regular aviation contributor from Entebbe.
Meanwhile in Tanzania was the comment immediately interpreted as a blanket approval by the Kenyan Deputy President to keep Fastjet out of the Kenyan skies. For nearly a year now has Tanzania designated Fastjet as their airline to fly from Dar es Salaam to Nairobi, demanding reciprocity vis a vis the existing Bilateral Air Services Agreement, under which presently two Kenyan airlines but only one Tanzanian airline flies on the route. 'The way we were treated in Bali when we met at ICAN basically tells the story. They raised issues on the nationality standing of Fastjet but there are no issues. Tanzanian individuals hold the required majority of 51 percent shares in Fastjet. The reason they keep that airline off the route is simple. They fear for a major loss of market share and that their artificially expensive pricing comes crashing down. To add salt in the wound, they are asking for more frequencies for their own, saying there is unsatisfied demand. Let Fastjet fly to Nairobi and that demand will be taken care of at prices people can actually afford' said a Dar es Salaam based aviation source. All eyes are now indeed on the Tanzanian regulators to see if and when retaliatory measures are imposed, a situation thought not helpful either for the talks tomorrow between the Kenyan and Tanzanian tourism delegations in Arusha.
'I hope cooler heads prevail tomorrow' added a Nairobi based tourism stakeholder. 'We are keen to see more people from the region fly to Mombasa to help fill those empty beds but the way things are going, we will be caught up in that air war as you described it. And like it or not, we know that our own airlines have been blocking the likes of Qatar and others to fly to Mombasa. It is time that national interest takes over from company interest, especially when that company constantly fails to put international flights to Mombasa on the market'.
Meanwhile have two regular sources, close to the Transport Ministry and close to the regulators kept silent on questions if the Deputy President's remarks were possible aimed at Qatar Airways, whose CEO last month expressed continued interest to fly to Mombasa but qualified the comment when putting the ball in Kenya's court vis a vis traffic rights. 'Ask the DP what he meant and whom he meant and please leave me out of it' was the curt response from one of them, understandably not willing to lock horns with the Deputy President. Time as usual will tell where this is heading and if the Kenya coast tourism stakeholders can expect some fundamental changes or will have to continue relying on non-scheduled traffic and the two foreign airlines presently permitted to fly into Mombasa, Turkish and Ethiopian, with the latter incidentally the greatest rival of Kenya's national airline.
https://wolfganghthome.wordpress.co...enyas-aviation-policies-under-the-microscope/
MIXED SIGNALS ABOUT KENYA'S APPROACH TO OPEN SKIES CAUSE CONCERN IN THE REGION
(Posted 04th February 2015)
image27image28Remarks attributed to Kenya's Deputy President Ruto, who earlier in the week opened an aviation workshop in Nairobi, have caused consternation and concern in the East African region and beyond.
Ruto was quoted to this correspondent to have, among other things, said that while Kenya would welcome more airlines to fly to the country it will also not 'tolerate unfair competition'.
From reactions received it is clear that both Uganda and Rwanda will seek an explanation if this could be the reason for the Kenyan aviation regulators imposing a capacity cap, after first delaying RwandAir's fifth freedom right flights from Entebbe to Nairobi by several weeks, or if Kenya could be welshing on the approved return fare, all taxes included, of US Dollars 250 charged by RwandAir on the route.
Officials at the flight launch in Entebbe last week made clear reference to the obstacles they had to overcome, as the Kenyan aviation regulators made them jump over multiple hurdles and through a series of hoops, ostensibly to protect their own airlines, two of which fly on the route from Nairobi to Entebbe.
'They are biased in favour of their own. They are the main reason fares were so high until RwandAir came on the market. Kenya is not a fair partner and I am beginning to see some merit in the reluctance of Tanzania to bow to pressure on demands which will only benefit Kenya' ranted a regular aviation contributor from Entebbe.
Meanwhile in Tanzania was the comment immediately interpreted as a blanket approval by the Kenyan Deputy President to keep Fastjet out of the Kenyan skies. For nearly a year now has Tanzania designated Fastjet as their airline to fly from Dar es Salaam to Nairobi, demanding reciprocity vis a vis the existing Bilateral Air Services Agreement, under which presently two Kenyan airlines but only one Tanzanian airline flies on the route. 'The way we were treated in Bali when we met at ICAN basically tells the story. They raised issues on the nationality standing of Fastjet but there are no issues. Tanzanian individuals hold the required majority of 51 percent shares in Fastjet. The reason they keep that airline off the route is simple. They fear for a major loss of market share and that their artificially expensive pricing comes crashing down. To add salt in the wound, they are asking for more frequencies for their own, saying there is unsatisfied demand. Let Fastjet fly to Nairobi and that demand will be taken care of at prices people can actually afford' said a Dar es Salaam based aviation source. All eyes are now indeed on the Tanzanian regulators to see if and when retaliatory measures are imposed, a situation thought not helpful either for the talks tomorrow between the Kenyan and Tanzanian tourism delegations in Arusha.
'I hope cooler heads prevail tomorrow' added a Nairobi based tourism stakeholder. 'We are keen to see more people from the region fly to Mombasa to help fill those empty beds but the way things are going, we will be caught up in that air war as you described it. And like it or not, we know that our own airlines have been blocking the likes of Qatar and others to fly to Mombasa. It is time that national interest takes over from company interest, especially when that company constantly fails to put international flights to Mombasa on the market'.
Meanwhile have two regular sources, close to the Transport Ministry and close to the regulators kept silent on questions if the Deputy President's remarks were possible aimed at Qatar Airways, whose CEO last month expressed continued interest to fly to Mombasa but qualified the comment when putting the ball in Kenya's court vis a vis traffic rights. 'Ask the DP what he meant and whom he meant and please leave me out of it' was the curt response from one of them, understandably not willing to lock horns with the Deputy President. Time as usual will tell where this is heading and if the Kenya coast tourism stakeholders can expect some fundamental changes or will have to continue relying on non-scheduled traffic and the two foreign airlines presently permitted to fly into Mombasa, Turkish and Ethiopian, with the latter incidentally the greatest rival of Kenya's national airline.
https://wolfganghthome.wordpress.co...enyas-aviation-policies-under-the-microscope/
Geza Ulole
Platinum Member
- Oct 31, 2009
- 76,173
- 107,750
- Thread starter
- #264
[h=2]Aviation needs to be ranked higher in the national priority list say Kenyan aviatiors[/h]Posted February 3, 2015 by Aviation, Tourism and Conservation news - DAILY from Eastern Africa and the Indian Ocean islands in Uncategorized. Leave a Comment
DEPUTY PRESIDENT WILLIAM RUTO STANDS IN FOR PRESIDENT AT AVIATION MEETING
(Posted 03rd February 2015)
Some aviation stakeholders were reportedly not entirely happy with the way the aviation meeting in Nairobi at the Kenya Airways' Pride Centre went yesterday with one writing in 'Skirting issues does not help. Just like with tourism, the softly softly approach has not yielded results. When Kenyans complain about high fares, or when our neighbours complain about high fares, it is in part a result of keeping competition away. I know that as a Kenyan citizen we have to stand by our own airlines but that has limits. If fares can be brought down by a quarter or more travelers should not have to pay for the inefficiencies of airlines or the errors of their management, present and past. There is an application pending by Fastjet to set up an airline in Kenya. Was anyone bothered to ask why this application keeps getting delayed? They brought fares down in Tanzania. Fastjet is also kept out from the route from Dar es Salaam to Nairobi and yet we pay high fares on that route. Kenya Airways and Precision Air are both trying to shake off losses and they are the dominant force between Nairobi and Dar. The moment RwandAir started flying from Entebbe to Nairobi there was immediate movement on the fares of other airlines. Why dictate them a capacity cap. What purpose does that serve and who benefits from that? Not the travelers for sure! At least in East Africa we need open skies because that way fares come down. Those issues were conveniently left alone at this meeting'.
A few others took issue with the President himself not being there for the opening, considering that aviation, alongside tourism, are two key elements in the Kenyan economy and both could, if properly facilitated, spur a burst of added growth for the country and restore thousands of jobs lost at the Kenya coast where many resorts have closed while others are at the brink.
Travel agents in the city also had comments when news emerged from the meeting that the Kenyan government was pushing for civil servants to be using national airline Kenya Airways whenever possible: 'There are places where KQ does not fly to. Connecting to another airline somewhere along the way, where KQ's flights end, normally raises fares even if an alliance partner airline takes over from there. Surely they are not saying that the country must incur greater expenditure for travel because of that.
Some foreign airlines, connecting through their hubs, offer very attractive fares to places people need to travel to. Until now it was my impression that the cost of the ticket is the key issue before easy connections which reduce travelling time. If they come up with new guidelines and directives how to book civil servants, we will respect them but until then it is normally the lower fares which clinch the deal'.
Some participants reportedly also, among themselves, discussed recent figures that there are more flights out of Dubai into Africa by the two home airlines Emirates and flydubai than African airlines flying out of Africa. Airlines on the continent have been fighting a losing battle to retain market share which has progressively reduced, at times prompting calls for a greater cooperation between the leading African airlines. Less than a handful though operate fleets in excess of 50 aircraft or carry in excess of 6 million passengers, Ethiopian, South African and Egypt Air being among those while Kenya Airways has been catching up but still has a long way to go to raise passenger numbers from some 3.8 million last year to reach the 5+ million threshold.
The Deputy President reportedly assured the workshop participants of the government's ongoing commitment to improve and expand aviation infrastructure which in the case of Nairobi's JKIA will see later this year the addition of the so called 'Temporary Terminal', a structure which will remain in place until well after Project Greenfield has been completed. A decision by NEMA is also expected by April this year about the construction start of the second runway when the EIA hearings have been concluded. This has been one of the key demands by the aviation fraternity in Kenya to avoid complete closures to traffic the moment a runway incident occurs, like more recently when an aircraft had to belly land when the main landing gear failed to properly deploy.
Meanwhile has a source close to Kenya Airways confirmed the national airline's keen interest in the outcome of the FAA audit which will determine if the country's main airport can attain Category 1 certification, which would at long last allow for the launch of direct flights to and from the United States. 'One of the reasons why Ethiopian has been running away with the prize money is their ability to fly to the US. That brings them a lot of added traffic. In a few months they will launch Los Angeles via Dublin. We in Kenya have not been able to tap into that very large pool of travelers. That, and less destinations in Europe and Asia, are a big part of ET's success. We are playing catch up here and have been too slow to meet such key requirements like Cat 1 certification. This was not a problem of the airline but of government to bring JKIA up to top level international standards. Ideally all the planned developments should be in place now but for the second runway, and Greenfield, it will be a long wait. During that time our competitors will not sleep, remember that. They will use that gap to make further advances at our expense. And let me not even start with those attempts last year to levy VAT on new aircraft and spares. We shot ourselves in the leg with that'.
Meanwhile has a regular source from Kigali confirmed that discussions are ongoing between RwandAir and the Kenyan aviation regulators to lift any and all remaining restrictions for the airline's fifth freedom route between Entebbe and Nairobi, rather pointedly saying: 'If these silly restrictions are not removed it will become a talking point at the next meeting of the Northern Corridor Integration partners. That meeting will be in Kigali and because Uganda is affected by it as much as we are, it might be a bit uncomfortable for our Kenyan partners to be cited and exposed. But the fact is, they are defying a presidential directive and they know it. Our friends in Nairobi do not have much time left to get over it and accept the new facts of life. There could be more flights even to Mombasa but again, let the Kenyan tourism industry ask their regulators what it is they are not doing or maybe doing to get more passengers to the coast'.
For breaking and regular aviation news from Eastern Africa, watch this space.
https://wolfganghthome.wordpress.co...-national-priority-list-say-kenyan-aviatiors/
DEPUTY PRESIDENT WILLIAM RUTO STANDS IN FOR PRESIDENT AT AVIATION MEETING
(Posted 03rd February 2015)
Some aviation stakeholders were reportedly not entirely happy with the way the aviation meeting in Nairobi at the Kenya Airways' Pride Centre went yesterday with one writing in 'Skirting issues does not help. Just like with tourism, the softly softly approach has not yielded results. When Kenyans complain about high fares, or when our neighbours complain about high fares, it is in part a result of keeping competition away. I know that as a Kenyan citizen we have to stand by our own airlines but that has limits. If fares can be brought down by a quarter or more travelers should not have to pay for the inefficiencies of airlines or the errors of their management, present and past. There is an application pending by Fastjet to set up an airline in Kenya. Was anyone bothered to ask why this application keeps getting delayed? They brought fares down in Tanzania. Fastjet is also kept out from the route from Dar es Salaam to Nairobi and yet we pay high fares on that route. Kenya Airways and Precision Air are both trying to shake off losses and they are the dominant force between Nairobi and Dar. The moment RwandAir started flying from Entebbe to Nairobi there was immediate movement on the fares of other airlines. Why dictate them a capacity cap. What purpose does that serve and who benefits from that? Not the travelers for sure! At least in East Africa we need open skies because that way fares come down. Those issues were conveniently left alone at this meeting'.
A few others took issue with the President himself not being there for the opening, considering that aviation, alongside tourism, are two key elements in the Kenyan economy and both could, if properly facilitated, spur a burst of added growth for the country and restore thousands of jobs lost at the Kenya coast where many resorts have closed while others are at the brink.
Travel agents in the city also had comments when news emerged from the meeting that the Kenyan government was pushing for civil servants to be using national airline Kenya Airways whenever possible: 'There are places where KQ does not fly to. Connecting to another airline somewhere along the way, where KQ's flights end, normally raises fares even if an alliance partner airline takes over from there. Surely they are not saying that the country must incur greater expenditure for travel because of that.
Some foreign airlines, connecting through their hubs, offer very attractive fares to places people need to travel to. Until now it was my impression that the cost of the ticket is the key issue before easy connections which reduce travelling time. If they come up with new guidelines and directives how to book civil servants, we will respect them but until then it is normally the lower fares which clinch the deal'.
Some participants reportedly also, among themselves, discussed recent figures that there are more flights out of Dubai into Africa by the two home airlines Emirates and flydubai than African airlines flying out of Africa. Airlines on the continent have been fighting a losing battle to retain market share which has progressively reduced, at times prompting calls for a greater cooperation between the leading African airlines. Less than a handful though operate fleets in excess of 50 aircraft or carry in excess of 6 million passengers, Ethiopian, South African and Egypt Air being among those while Kenya Airways has been catching up but still has a long way to go to raise passenger numbers from some 3.8 million last year to reach the 5+ million threshold.
The Deputy President reportedly assured the workshop participants of the government's ongoing commitment to improve and expand aviation infrastructure which in the case of Nairobi's JKIA will see later this year the addition of the so called 'Temporary Terminal', a structure which will remain in place until well after Project Greenfield has been completed. A decision by NEMA is also expected by April this year about the construction start of the second runway when the EIA hearings have been concluded. This has been one of the key demands by the aviation fraternity in Kenya to avoid complete closures to traffic the moment a runway incident occurs, like more recently when an aircraft had to belly land when the main landing gear failed to properly deploy.
Meanwhile has a source close to Kenya Airways confirmed the national airline's keen interest in the outcome of the FAA audit which will determine if the country's main airport can attain Category 1 certification, which would at long last allow for the launch of direct flights to and from the United States. 'One of the reasons why Ethiopian has been running away with the prize money is their ability to fly to the US. That brings them a lot of added traffic. In a few months they will launch Los Angeles via Dublin. We in Kenya have not been able to tap into that very large pool of travelers. That, and less destinations in Europe and Asia, are a big part of ET's success. We are playing catch up here and have been too slow to meet such key requirements like Cat 1 certification. This was not a problem of the airline but of government to bring JKIA up to top level international standards. Ideally all the planned developments should be in place now but for the second runway, and Greenfield, it will be a long wait. During that time our competitors will not sleep, remember that. They will use that gap to make further advances at our expense. And let me not even start with those attempts last year to levy VAT on new aircraft and spares. We shot ourselves in the leg with that'.
Meanwhile has a regular source from Kigali confirmed that discussions are ongoing between RwandAir and the Kenyan aviation regulators to lift any and all remaining restrictions for the airline's fifth freedom route between Entebbe and Nairobi, rather pointedly saying: 'If these silly restrictions are not removed it will become a talking point at the next meeting of the Northern Corridor Integration partners. That meeting will be in Kigali and because Uganda is affected by it as much as we are, it might be a bit uncomfortable for our Kenyan partners to be cited and exposed. But the fact is, they are defying a presidential directive and they know it. Our friends in Nairobi do not have much time left to get over it and accept the new facts of life. There could be more flights even to Mombasa but again, let the Kenyan tourism industry ask their regulators what it is they are not doing or maybe doing to get more passengers to the coast'.
For breaking and regular aviation news from Eastern Africa, watch this space.
https://wolfganghthome.wordpress.co...-national-priority-list-say-kenyan-aviatiors/
Geza Ulole
Platinum Member
- Oct 31, 2009
- 76,173
- 107,750
- Thread starter
- #266
Fastjet January passenger figures up 78%
By Phil Davies
Feb 09, 2015 08:22AM GMT
African budget airline Fastjet saw January carryings rise 78% year-on-year to a total of 55,695 passengers.
The load factor rose by nine percentage points to 69% while the on-time performance was 94%.
The airline's rolling 12 month total of passengers carried to January was up by 68% to 621,656.
Interim chairman and chief executive Ed Winter said: "January is traditionally the month of the year when airlines see the lowest consumer demand.
"We are therefore very pleased with our trading figures as we build upon our market leading position in Tanzania.
"We have clearly demonstrated that our low-cost model is stimulating the market and encouraging more and more people to use our reliable and affordable flights rather than road transport."
Fastjet launched its spring flying programme last week featuring a the new route between Kilimanjaro and Mwanza.
Fastjet January passenger figures up 78%
By Phil Davies
Feb 09, 2015 08:22AM GMT
African budget airline Fastjet saw January carryings rise 78% year-on-year to a total of 55,695 passengers.
The load factor rose by nine percentage points to 69% while the on-time performance was 94%.
The airline's rolling 12 month total of passengers carried to January was up by 68% to 621,656.
Interim chairman and chief executive Ed Winter said: "January is traditionally the month of the year when airlines see the lowest consumer demand.
"We are therefore very pleased with our trading figures as we build upon our market leading position in Tanzania.
"We have clearly demonstrated that our low-cost model is stimulating the market and encouraging more and more people to use our reliable and affordable flights rather than road transport."
Fastjet launched its spring flying programme last week featuring a the new route between Kilimanjaro and Mwanza.
Fastjet January passenger figures up 78%
Geza Ulole
Platinum Member
- Oct 31, 2009
- 76,173
- 107,750
- Thread starter
- #267
[h=2]Fastjet carries 55.695 passengers in January on domestic and African routes[/h]Posted by Aviation, Tourism and Conservation news - DAILY from Eastern Africa and the Indian Ocean islands inUncategorized. Leave a Comment
FASTJET OUTPERFORMS JANUARY 2014 FIGURES BY A WIDE MARGIN
(Posted 10th February 2015)
With traffic, year on year, up by 78 percent in January 2015 and the load factor for January 2015 also up by 9 percent, can Fastjet be pleased, considering that January is normally a month of lower activity for many of the airlines in the region.
This was also apparently Ed Winter's sentiment, when the CEO in his monthly notification to the London Stock Exchange – Fastjet PLC is a publicly quote company and subject to disclosure rules – yesterday morning said: 'January is traditionally the month of the year when airlines see the lowest consumer demand. We are therefore very pleased with our trading figures as we build upon our market leading position in Tanzania. We have clearly demonstrated that our low-cost model is stimulating the market and encouraging more and more people to use our reliable and affordable flights rather than road transport'.
Based on a year-on-year comparison is the 78% increase in passengers carried in January substantially ahead of the 53% increase in number of seats flown, a key factor for the strong rise in load factor.
Fastjet also launched its spring schedule last week, at last featuring the commencement of a new domestic route which will now connect Kilimanjaro and Mwanza, following public demand that the two destinations be connected directly rather than through Dar es Salaam.
Notes:
1. "Passengers"are sold seats flown, excluding infants. Fastjet bookings are generally non-refundable.
2. "Load Factor"is the number of ‘passengers" as a percentage of the number of available seats flown.
3. "on time"- arrival earlier than or within 15 minutes of schedule
What continues to cause consternation though among the Tanzanian public is the continued delay in having landing rights approved for Fastjet by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority for the Dar es Salaam to Nairobi route. Sentiments shared with this correspondent from a number of regular and one off sources from Tanzania indicate that patience is indeed running low, and the most recent spat between Kenya's and Tanzania's tourism ministries over access of Tanzanian registered tour vehicles to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, reported here with regular updates, has only further inflamed an already volatile situation. 'Fastjet is properly registered in Tanzania. The airline meets the nationality requirements as demanded by regulations. 51 percent of the shares of Fastjet Tanzania are owned and held by Tanzanians. It is now completely evident that the Kenyans just want to keep Fastjet out of their skies because they fear competition. They accuse us over issues of access of tour vehicles to our parks and when it comes to aviation they do the same thing and think it is normal. Well it is not normal. They insulted us in Bali at ICAN last year and keep insulting us. We will now push for punitive measures against their airlines. How does the idea of regular ramp checks sound to them?' let one of them fly, showing how deep rooted the differences between the two East African Community partners already are. Another source was equally swift to add: 'I have seen so many comments that our Kenyan brothers envy our successes. They almost cry that Zanzibar has nonstop flights from South Africa and Mombasa does not. They almost cry about South Africans flocking to our beaches now because they need no Visa to come to Tanzania. The Kenyans made their own problems when last year they almost killed that market with stupid Visa requirements. You honestly think South Africans living in Cape Town or Durban fly to Pretoria to apply for a Visa in person and then repeat the process two weeks later to pick up the Visa before they are allowed to spend their money in Mombasa? Of course there is competition but the way our brothers across the border are conducting themselves, they have in many cases only themselves to blame'.
Fastjet's direct application for an Air Service License, the pre-cursor to set up an airline in Kenya, have also seen several setbacks as a result of Kenyan airlines vehemently objecting to the setting up of a low cost airline, leading to further speculation that the aviation powers that be in Kenya have a stranglehold on their regulators, in the process trampling their government's proclamation that Kenya welcomes foreign investment in to the dust.
Be sure you watch this space for breaking and regular aviation news from the Eastern African region and beyond to learn when this already volatile situation is finally going to erupt in everyone's face.
https://wolfganghthome.wordpress.co...rs-in-january-on-domestic-and-african-routes/
FASTJET OUTPERFORMS JANUARY 2014 FIGURES BY A WIDE MARGIN
(Posted 10th February 2015)
With traffic, year on year, up by 78 percent in January 2015 and the load factor for January 2015 also up by 9 percent, can Fastjet be pleased, considering that January is normally a month of lower activity for many of the airlines in the region.
This was also apparently Ed Winter's sentiment, when the CEO in his monthly notification to the London Stock Exchange – Fastjet PLC is a publicly quote company and subject to disclosure rules – yesterday morning said: 'January is traditionally the month of the year when airlines see the lowest consumer demand. We are therefore very pleased with our trading figures as we build upon our market leading position in Tanzania. We have clearly demonstrated that our low-cost model is stimulating the market and encouraging more and more people to use our reliable and affordable flights rather than road transport'.
Based on a year-on-year comparison is the 78% increase in passengers carried in January substantially ahead of the 53% increase in number of seats flown, a key factor for the strong rise in load factor.
Fastjet also launched its spring schedule last week, at last featuring the commencement of a new domestic route which will now connect Kilimanjaro and Mwanza, following public demand that the two destinations be connected directly rather than through Dar es Salaam.
| Month ending | January 2015 | January 2014 | Change |
| Passengers Note 1 | 55,695 | 31,258 | 78% |
| Load Factor Note 2 | 69% | 60% | +9pp |
| Rolling 12 months ending | January 2015 | January 2014 | Change |
| Passengers Note 1 | 621,656 | 370,835 | 68% |
1. "Passengers"are sold seats flown, excluding infants. Fastjet bookings are generally non-refundable.
2. "Load Factor"is the number of ‘passengers" as a percentage of the number of available seats flown.
3. "on time"- arrival earlier than or within 15 minutes of schedule
What continues to cause consternation though among the Tanzanian public is the continued delay in having landing rights approved for Fastjet by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority for the Dar es Salaam to Nairobi route. Sentiments shared with this correspondent from a number of regular and one off sources from Tanzania indicate that patience is indeed running low, and the most recent spat between Kenya's and Tanzania's tourism ministries over access of Tanzanian registered tour vehicles to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, reported here with regular updates, has only further inflamed an already volatile situation. 'Fastjet is properly registered in Tanzania. The airline meets the nationality requirements as demanded by regulations. 51 percent of the shares of Fastjet Tanzania are owned and held by Tanzanians. It is now completely evident that the Kenyans just want to keep Fastjet out of their skies because they fear competition. They accuse us over issues of access of tour vehicles to our parks and when it comes to aviation they do the same thing and think it is normal. Well it is not normal. They insulted us in Bali at ICAN last year and keep insulting us. We will now push for punitive measures against their airlines. How does the idea of regular ramp checks sound to them?' let one of them fly, showing how deep rooted the differences between the two East African Community partners already are. Another source was equally swift to add: 'I have seen so many comments that our Kenyan brothers envy our successes. They almost cry that Zanzibar has nonstop flights from South Africa and Mombasa does not. They almost cry about South Africans flocking to our beaches now because they need no Visa to come to Tanzania. The Kenyans made their own problems when last year they almost killed that market with stupid Visa requirements. You honestly think South Africans living in Cape Town or Durban fly to Pretoria to apply for a Visa in person and then repeat the process two weeks later to pick up the Visa before they are allowed to spend their money in Mombasa? Of course there is competition but the way our brothers across the border are conducting themselves, they have in many cases only themselves to blame'.
Fastjet's direct application for an Air Service License, the pre-cursor to set up an airline in Kenya, have also seen several setbacks as a result of Kenyan airlines vehemently objecting to the setting up of a low cost airline, leading to further speculation that the aviation powers that be in Kenya have a stranglehold on their regulators, in the process trampling their government's proclamation that Kenya welcomes foreign investment in to the dust.
Be sure you watch this space for breaking and regular aviation news from the Eastern African region and beyond to learn when this already volatile situation is finally going to erupt in everyone's face.
https://wolfganghthome.wordpress.co...rs-in-january-on-domestic-and-african-routes/
Actually Kenya/KCAA use delaying tactics to Fastjet, imagine most of us (DAR-NRB frequent travellers) we r forced to fly from Dar to KIA early bird FASTJET flight then catch Shuttle to Nairobi to avoid hefty 450 USD return KQ ticket (DAR-NRB-DAR)
Geza Ulole
Platinum Member
- Oct 31, 2009
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ndo maana wame-ban shuttle sasa najua Nyang'au kabanwa kila kona! :lol: MK254, sam999, NairobiWalker, Dhuks
MK254
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- May 11, 2013
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Tunabana kila sehemu, nyang'au tulipinda zamani zile, hivyo muache kutuzingua.
Geza Ulole
Platinum Member
- Oct 31, 2009
- 76,173
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- Thread starter
- #271
Fastjet to invest US$15 million in operations
Posted in Business on February 25, 2015 by Online User
ESTHER MSETEKA, Lusaka
FASTJET Zambia, an airline intends to invest US$15 million in the initial stage of its operations in Zambia after an air service permit last year.
Airline chief executive officer Ed Winter said the resources will be channelled in buying aircraft spares parts, training of staff among other logistics needed to set up an airline base.
Mr Winter said during Fastjets' celebrations of one year of flying Zambian skies that the airline is making progress in finalising the remaining legal processes before it can acquire formal approval to start its flights both domestic and international.
Currently, the airline flies from Tanzania's Dar-es-Salaam to Lusaka and has not set up base yet.
"I believe that this investment will result in Zambia's international airport being seen among the best airports in Africa both from an infrastructure and a service delivery viewpoint. Our engagements at all levels have been very positive.
"The team is now focused on submitting the remaining necessary document to complete the application process for an air operating certificate. Once the certificate is issued, this means that formal approval has been secured for flights to start [operating from within Zambia],"he said.
Mr Winter said the airline will continue introducing affordable air travel to enable local customers benefit.
The airline intends to introduce international routes between Lusaka and Johannesburg in South Africa, Nairobi in Kenya and Harare in Zimbabwe.
https://www.daily-mail.co.zm/?p=21424
ESTHER MSETEKA, Lusaka
FASTJET Zambia, an airline intends to invest US$15 million in the initial stage of its operations in Zambia after an air service permit last year.
Airline chief executive officer Ed Winter said the resources will be channelled in buying aircraft spares parts, training of staff among other logistics needed to set up an airline base.
Mr Winter said during Fastjets' celebrations of one year of flying Zambian skies that the airline is making progress in finalising the remaining legal processes before it can acquire formal approval to start its flights both domestic and international.
Currently, the airline flies from Tanzania's Dar-es-Salaam to Lusaka and has not set up base yet.
"I believe that this investment will result in Zambia's international airport being seen among the best airports in Africa both from an infrastructure and a service delivery viewpoint. Our engagements at all levels have been very positive.
"The team is now focused on submitting the remaining necessary document to complete the application process for an air operating certificate. Once the certificate is issued, this means that formal approval has been secured for flights to start [operating from within Zambia],"he said.
Mr Winter said the airline will continue introducing affordable air travel to enable local customers benefit.
The airline intends to introduce international routes between Lusaka and Johannesburg in South Africa, Nairobi in Kenya and Harare in Zimbabwe.
https://www.daily-mail.co.zm/?p=21424
Geza Ulole
Platinum Member
- Oct 31, 2009
- 76,173
- 107,750
- Thread starter
- #273
[h=1]Aviation: Fastjet hopeful of funding[/h]November 17 2014 at 08:00am
By Reuters Comment on this storyBUDGET airline, fastjet, expected to secure funding for its operations early next year, it said on Friday, and that it had received permits to operate flights in Zambia. It also said it had agreed to sell a stake in its Tanzanian airline fastjet Tanzania to local shareholders by issuing shares to a holding company controlled by four Tanzanian investors. The shares are to be held in the holding company, called fastjet International, pending their sale to local investors at a price and time to be decided by fastjet. The agreement is part of fastjet's strategy of operating airline companies in African countries that are partly owned by local investors. Fastjet said it was in talks with potential investors, including industry partners and specialist African investors, for the funding. – Reuters
Aviation: Fastjet hopeful of funding - Business News | IOL Business
That was in November and Fastjet agreed meaning they was an application by Tanzanians to own the stake! Ufiche upumbavu wako!
Quasi shareholders, they put up zero capital, they had to sign that they will sell their shares to real shareholders who will put in money later, they have zero voting power in the board(a special company called fastjet international was created and given 51% shares of fastjet tanzania on condition), hii ni kufungwa macho na statement la local shareholding. I'll quote verbatim whats being reported;
Fastjet Press Release 14 Nov. 2014 said:
http://www.fastjet.com/us/en/corporate/investor-news/fastjet-strategic-update
Only Geza buys that this deal means fastjet is 51% locally owned, wake up from your slumber, read the fine print and stop deluding yourself
Mong'
Member
- Jan 26, 2015
- 12
- 10
Interesting! I've always found it funny how the language changes fast here. Fastjet is considered a "locally owned" but UK registered airline but KQ/KCB/Scangroup/Equity/Resolution/Britam/CBA/NMG/EABL/Brookside/Jubilee are all "foreign" owned but Kenyan registered companies that operate in East Africa.
Kambalanick
JF-Expert Member
- Dec 4, 2014
- 1,157
- 1,053
You just mentioned all the big (significant)
Kenyan Companies ..and sadly you're wrong, most from your list are locally owned.Wacha story za bar na za chini ya mnazi.
Mong'
Member
- Jan 26, 2015
- 12
- 10
*Le sigh* It seems you've missed my point. Kindly re-read my post carefully because we are basically talking about the same thing.
Geza Ulole
Platinum Member
- Oct 31, 2009
- 76,173
- 107,750
- Thread starter
- #278
House probes flight delays claim against Jambojet
JamboJet operates flights between Mombasa, Eldoret, Nairobi and Mombasa. PHOTO | FILE
IN SUMMARY
Kenya Airways' budget carrier, Jambojet, is on the spot over alleged flight delays on the Nairobi-Eldoret route.
The issue emerged on Tuesday at a meeting between Transport and Infrastructure principal secretary Nduva Muli and MPs, who had summoned him to Parliament over the matter.
Mr Muli appeared before the Maina Kamanda-led committee to respond to concerns raised by Marakwet East MP Kangogo Bowen who had claimed that Jambojet has been delaying passengers in Kisumu for up to two hours before flying to Eldoret.
"There is serious inconvenience by Jambojet. Sometimes they take us to Kisumu from Eldoret and then to Nairobi. At times they fly us to Kisumu then to Eldoret, delaying us," said Mr Kangogo.
Officials from the Ministry of Transport and Kenya Airways are set to meet with MPs next Monday to address the issue.
The MP said majority of travellers on the North Rift region had complained of travel delays given that Jambojet does not in most cases fly directly to Eldoret.
Mr Kangogo had sought to know why Kenya Airways stopped flights to Eldoret and when the decision would be rescinded.
Mr Muli said Kenya Airways stopped its operations to Eldoret on April 1, 2014 in favour of its low-cost subsidiary Jambojet.
He said KQ agreed to let its low-cost carrier serve all networks in Kisumu, Eldoret and Mombasa.
"Data from the airline shows that only one of two carriers can serve the route with double daily flights.
"From July 2014, Jambojet has been offering morning and evening flights for the Eldoret route. Commercialisation and capacity within the market is the issue," Mr Muli said.
He said Jambojet has had a challenge of passenger numbers to the region.
"We will look at issues of scheduling. Market dynamics are causing these delays," he said.
Mr Kamanda said if the passenger numbers are not sufficient, then the air passenger business to Eldoret is not viable.
"People have now opted to use roads. There were two flights daily but the introduction of Jambojet has created problems," Mr Kangogo said.
Emanuel Wangwe (Navakholo) suggested that Kenya Airways looks at ways of assigning a smaller plane to the Eldoret route if passenger numbers are not adequate for larger commercial airlines.
"The issue of delays can only be addressed if you get a smaller plane for Eldoret and another to Kisumu.
"The model they (KQ) introduced for Jambojet is not good. The plane has a lot of seats. It reminds me of the flight between Goma to Kinshasha, which we used to fly with some goats on board. That is the same situation with Jambojet," said Mr Wangwe.
Mr Muli said he would hold a meeting with the affected group of MPs to address their concerns.
http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/House-probes-flight-delays-claim-against-Jambojet/-/539546/2641594/-/view/printVersion/-/yakbf1/-/index.html
Kimweri, nomasana, MK254, sam999, NairobiWalker, hbuyosh, msemakweli, simplemind,Kimweri,Bulldog,MK254,Kafrican,bagamoyo,Ngongo,AbTitchaz, mtanganyika mpya, JokaKuu, Ngongo, Askari Kanzu, Dhuks, Yule-Msee,waltham, Mpendwa1, kadoda11, Kafrican, DemiGod
JamboJet operates flights between Mombasa, Eldoret, Nairobi and Mombasa. PHOTO | FILE
IN SUMMARY
- Transport PS Nduva Muli was on Tuesday summoned to Parliament to respond to concerns raised by Marakwet East MP Kangogo Bowen who had claimed that Jambojet has been delaying passengers in Kisumu for up to two hours before flying to Eldoret.
- The MP said majority of travellers on the North Rift region had complained of travel delays given that Jambojet does not in most cases fly directly to Eldoret.
Kenya Airways' budget carrier, Jambojet, is on the spot over alleged flight delays on the Nairobi-Eldoret route.
The issue emerged on Tuesday at a meeting between Transport and Infrastructure principal secretary Nduva Muli and MPs, who had summoned him to Parliament over the matter.
Mr Muli appeared before the Maina Kamanda-led committee to respond to concerns raised by Marakwet East MP Kangogo Bowen who had claimed that Jambojet has been delaying passengers in Kisumu for up to two hours before flying to Eldoret.
"There is serious inconvenience by Jambojet. Sometimes they take us to Kisumu from Eldoret and then to Nairobi. At times they fly us to Kisumu then to Eldoret, delaying us," said Mr Kangogo.
Officials from the Ministry of Transport and Kenya Airways are set to meet with MPs next Monday to address the issue.
The MP said majority of travellers on the North Rift region had complained of travel delays given that Jambojet does not in most cases fly directly to Eldoret.
Mr Kangogo had sought to know why Kenya Airways stopped flights to Eldoret and when the decision would be rescinded.
Mr Muli said Kenya Airways stopped its operations to Eldoret on April 1, 2014 in favour of its low-cost subsidiary Jambojet.
He said KQ agreed to let its low-cost carrier serve all networks in Kisumu, Eldoret and Mombasa.
"Data from the airline shows that only one of two carriers can serve the route with double daily flights.
"From July 2014, Jambojet has been offering morning and evening flights for the Eldoret route. Commercialisation and capacity within the market is the issue," Mr Muli said.
He said Jambojet has had a challenge of passenger numbers to the region.
"We will look at issues of scheduling. Market dynamics are causing these delays," he said.
Mr Kamanda said if the passenger numbers are not sufficient, then the air passenger business to Eldoret is not viable.
"People have now opted to use roads. There were two flights daily but the introduction of Jambojet has created problems," Mr Kangogo said.
Emanuel Wangwe (Navakholo) suggested that Kenya Airways looks at ways of assigning a smaller plane to the Eldoret route if passenger numbers are not adequate for larger commercial airlines.
"The issue of delays can only be addressed if you get a smaller plane for Eldoret and another to Kisumu.
"The model they (KQ) introduced for Jambojet is not good. The plane has a lot of seats. It reminds me of the flight between Goma to Kinshasha, which we used to fly with some goats on board. That is the same situation with Jambojet," said Mr Wangwe.
Mr Muli said he would hold a meeting with the affected group of MPs to address their concerns.
http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/House-probes-flight-delays-claim-against-Jambojet/-/539546/2641594/-/view/printVersion/-/yakbf1/-/index.html
Kimweri, nomasana, MK254, sam999, NairobiWalker, hbuyosh, msemakweli, simplemind,Kimweri,Bulldog,MK254,Kafrican,bagamoyo,Ngongo,AbTitchaz, mtanganyika mpya, JokaKuu, Ngongo, Askari Kanzu, Dhuks, Yule-Msee,waltham, Mpendwa1, kadoda11, Kafrican, DemiGod
HIMARS
JF-Expert Member
- Jan 23, 2012
- 73,317
- 103,579
Mi nimeipanda toka Nai kwenda Eld. Yaani ni zaidi ya basi hiyo Jambojet.
Nimeenda zimebakia dakika tatu wakanambia lipa haraka siti zipo nikalipa nikapita direct hadi kwenye ndege kwani walishaanza boarding. Kufika nadhano tutaondoka mara wakatangaza kuna abiria twawasubiria baada ya dakika 15 kama hawajafika twaondoka kimsingi hawazingatii muda bora KQ zamani maana ilikuwa haikupitishi Kisumu hawa Jambo hadi upite Kisumu ndo uende Eld.
Nimeenda zimebakia dakika tatu wakanambia lipa haraka siti zipo nikalipa nikapita direct hadi kwenye ndege kwani walishaanza boarding. Kufika nadhano tutaondoka mara wakatangaza kuna abiria twawasubiria baada ya dakika 15 kama hawajafika twaondoka kimsingi hawazingatii muda bora KQ zamani maana ilikuwa haikupitishi Kisumu hawa Jambo hadi upite Kisumu ndo uende Eld.
Geza Ulole
Platinum Member
- Oct 31, 2009
- 76,173
- 107,750
- Thread starter
- #280
Fastjet set for Entebbe - Kilimanjaro Flight
Fastjet has announced that they will be launching flights between Kilimanjaro International Airport and Entebbe at the 31st of March, extending the present Dar es Salaam to Entebbe service with the stop at JRO.
Arusha, some 50 kilometres away, is the seat of the East Africa Community and as such a centre of political gravity for the region. Travelers to Arusha have over the past 9 months had to contend with indirect flights via Kigali with RwandAir or via Nairobi with Kenya Airways / Precision Air and the newly restored option of nonstop flights will no doubt be appealing to many.
The combination of the two routes is also thought to be raising the load factors on the route for Fastjet, which had launched the Dar to Entebbe route last year but was looking for a passenger boost.
Only a few weeks ago did Fastjet launch flights from Kilimanjaro to Mwanza, giving travelers booking early the option to fly at a cost not much greater than a bus fare.
Fares charged will start from as low as US Dollars 50 one way PLUS TAXES AND REGULATORY FEES which in this case will amount to nearly as much, considering these elements on flights to Dar es Salaam, where the fees and taxes exceed the cost of the ticket.
There has, sadly for Fastjet, not been any movement on them getting landing rights in Nairobi for which the airline, designated on the route by the Tanzanian Civil Aviation Authority, has applied earlier last year. Also still stuck in government bureaucrazy, pun intended, is the airline's application to set up a business in Kenya, where no Air Service Licence has been granted as yet.
Next on the horizon for Fastjet will be the launch of their operation in Zambia where the airline plans to fly from Lusaka to Johannesburg and on the domestic routes to Livingstone and other key Zambian towns.
Watch this space for breaking and regular aviation news from across Eastern Africa.
MY TAKE
Very strategic route since KQ and Rwandair charge ridiculous prizes for fare, Uganda businesspersons can land at KIA with Fastjet and take a 4 hours shuttle to Nairobi city center
Kimweri, nomasana, MK254, sam999, NairobiWalker, hbuyosh, msemakweli, simplemind,Kimweri,Bulldog,MK254, Kafrican, bagamoyo, Ngongo, AbTitchaz, mtanganyika mpya, JokaKuu, Ngongo, Askari Kanzu, Dhuks, Yule-Msee, waltham, Mpendwa1, kadoda11, Kafrican, DemiGod
Fastjet has announced that they will be launching flights between Kilimanjaro International Airport and Entebbe at the 31st of March, extending the present Dar es Salaam to Entebbe service with the stop at JRO.
Arusha, some 50 kilometres away, is the seat of the East Africa Community and as such a centre of political gravity for the region. Travelers to Arusha have over the past 9 months had to contend with indirect flights via Kigali with RwandAir or via Nairobi with Kenya Airways / Precision Air and the newly restored option of nonstop flights will no doubt be appealing to many.
The combination of the two routes is also thought to be raising the load factors on the route for Fastjet, which had launched the Dar to Entebbe route last year but was looking for a passenger boost.
Only a few weeks ago did Fastjet launch flights from Kilimanjaro to Mwanza, giving travelers booking early the option to fly at a cost not much greater than a bus fare.
Fares charged will start from as low as US Dollars 50 one way PLUS TAXES AND REGULATORY FEES which in this case will amount to nearly as much, considering these elements on flights to Dar es Salaam, where the fees and taxes exceed the cost of the ticket.
There has, sadly for Fastjet, not been any movement on them getting landing rights in Nairobi for which the airline, designated on the route by the Tanzanian Civil Aviation Authority, has applied earlier last year. Also still stuck in government bureaucrazy, pun intended, is the airline's application to set up a business in Kenya, where no Air Service Licence has been granted as yet.
Next on the horizon for Fastjet will be the launch of their operation in Zambia where the airline plans to fly from Lusaka to Johannesburg and on the domestic routes to Livingstone and other key Zambian towns.
Watch this space for breaking and regular aviation news from across Eastern Africa.
MY TAKE
Very strategic route since KQ and Rwandair charge ridiculous prizes for fare, Uganda businesspersons can land at KIA with Fastjet and take a 4 hours shuttle to Nairobi city center
Kimweri, nomasana, MK254, sam999, NairobiWalker, hbuyosh, msemakweli, simplemind,Kimweri,Bulldog,MK254, Kafrican, bagamoyo, Ngongo, AbTitchaz, mtanganyika mpya, JokaKuu, Ngongo, Askari Kanzu, Dhuks, Yule-Msee, waltham, Mpendwa1, kadoda11, Kafrican, DemiGod
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