Budget airline starts selling tickets in Dar ahead of launch

By Philip Mwakio

European budget airline, Fastjet, is now selling tickets in Tanzania ahead of its planned commercial launch later this month.

The airline, marketing itself as Africa’s first pan African low cost carrier, on Wednesday announced that its www.fastjet.com website is live and tickets are on sale ahead of the airline’s first flight on November 29.

Tickets for domestic routes in Tanzania including Dar es Salaam - Kilimanjaro and Dar es Salaam - Mwanza went on sale on Tuesday through the company’s offices and travel agents. 

On-line Internet booking was available from Wednesday with payment options available through fastjet offices, travel agents and bank account.  Fastjet will introduce credit card and further payment options including M-Pesa and Airtel Money over the coming months.

Fastjet, which has taken over Fly540, has chosen Dar es Salaam as its first operating base in Africa, with flights from Julius Nyerere International Airport set to commence on November 29.

The airline’s Chief Executive Officer Ed Winter said, “We have had a great response to our first tickets going on sale with over 100 seats sold within the first two hours for flights departing from November 29. Everyone at fastjet is really excited about bringing low cost air travel to the people of Africa and with prices starting at $20 one-way excluding taxes and charges, we are making flying an affordable option for more East Africans than ever before.”

Fastjet Executive Chairman David Lenigas added, “Our first three Airbus A319s will be arriving in Tanzania shortly and we are very much looking forward to providing reliable airline services to an international standard for the people of Africa.”