Fastjet is to launch its first international route from September with flights from Tanzania to South Africa.
The African no-frills carrier, which is currently running domestic services within Tanzania, will launch the Dar es Salaam to Johannesburg route on September 27. Tickets are due to go on sale later this week.
Flights will initially operate three times per week but this will be increased “in line with market demand”. The route is currently only served by South African Airways.
Fastjet has decided to concentrate on launching international flights from Tanzania and put off previous plans to start domestic services within South Africa.
The airline has also secured bilateral agreements to fly from Tanzania to Rwanda and Zambia, with flights to the Zambian capital of Lusaka due to launch “in the near future”.
Fastjet CEO Ed Winter said: “Despite a number of challenges, Fastjet is now able to respond to huge consumer demand and provide an alternative and affordable link between Dar es Salaam and Johannesburg, having secured all required permissions to do so.
“We hope that the obvious desire for a change in the competitive landscape will result in Fastjet soon being awarded licenses in more African countries, bringing consumers the benefits of choice and lower prices on many more international routes.”
fastjet.com