fastjet Passenger Statistics for July 2015

RNS Number : 5389V

Fastjet PLC

10 August 2015

 

fastjet Plc

("fastjet" or the "Company")

10th August 2015

fastjet Passenger Statistics for July 2015

Highest passenger numbers to date in July

fastjet operations in Tanzania have reported its highest number of passengers in July 2015, carrying a total of 71,763 passengers in the month, surpassing the previous record, achieved in April 2015, by over 3,600 passengers and a 36% increase on the same month in the prior year. The load factor for July was 72%.

The increase in passengers has been achieved in part by the commencement of flights to Malawi and additional flights to Mwanza. This has resulted in an aircraft utilisation figure in excess of 12 hours per day at the end of July.

Punctuality for July remained excellent, with 95% of flights arriving on time ^{Note 3}.

Network growth

fastjet has released its winter flying programme (effective September 2015 to January 2016) which features several significant additions to its operation. The Dar es Salaam flight to Johannesburg moves from three flights a week to a daily operation while the flight linking Dar es Salaam with both Lusaka and Harare also moves to a daily programme. fastjet's newest route from Dar es Salaam to Lilongwe doubles from two to four flights a week and both Mwanza and Kilimanjaro will see significant increases. These developments will be served by an additional Airbus 319 aircraft that is planned to be introduced into the Tanzanian fleet later this month.

Ed Winter, Chief Executive Officer of fastjet, said: "We are delighted to be reporting our highest monthly passenger numbers demonstrating the appetite for low-cost aviation in East and Southern Africa.

"The new schedule underlines our commitment to grow the Tanzanian operation, building frequency on our most popular routes, and significant growth across the route network cements our position in the Tanzanian market. We are now at our target figure for utilisation of our existing fleet and we will shortly be introducing a fourth aircraft into the Tanzanian fleet.

In addition, the Company has signed a six year operating lease for the first Airbus A319 aircraft in the fastjet Zimbabwe fleet with Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited (ICBC). This aircraft will be on its way to Zimbabwe this month in readiness for the final stage of the Air Operator Certificate application which is a demonstration flight for the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe. Seats for the first flights by fastjet Zimbabwe will go on sale shortly after the demonstration flight has been completed.

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Month ending                                   July 2015                        July 2014                       Change

Passengers Note 1                                 71,763                            52,792                              36%

Load Factor Note 2                                     72%                               73%                              -1pp

Rolling 12 months ending                July 2015                       July 2014                     Change

Passengers Note 1                                747,348                         455,272                            64%

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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 (excludes cancelled flights).

For more information, contact:

UK media - Citigate Dewe Rogerson	Tel: [phone]
Angharad Couch
Toby Moore
Nick Hayns
South African media - Tribeca Public Relations	Tel:  [phone]
Cian Mac Eochaidh
Kelly Webster
For investor enquiries please contact:
W.H. Ireland Ltd.- Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker	Tel: [phone]
James Joyce
Mark Leonard
Liberum Capital Limited - Joint Broker	Tel:  [phone]
Clayton Bush
Christopher Britton

NOTES TO EDITORS

About fastjet Plc

fastjet Plc is the holding company of the low cost airline fastjet which commenced flights under the fastjet brand in Tanzania in November 2012. The airline introduced Airbus A319s into its fleet.  By adhering to international standards of safety, quality, security and reliability; fastjet has brought a new flying experience to the African market at unprecedented low prices. fastjet is implementing the low-cost model across Africa and its long-term strategy is to become the continent's first low-cost, pan-African airline. fastjet Plc is also the holding company of Fly540 Angola where operations are currently suspended.

The results of a customer satisfaction survey showed that 100% of customers were likely to recommend fastjet to a friend. In developing its strong brand and identity, fastjet has won and been nominated for a number of awards, including winning three Transform awards for the rebrand and launch of fastjet, the award for "Brand Strategy of the Year" at 2014's Drum Marketing Awards in London, and the Transport Innovator Award at the 8th Transport Africa Awards 2015 in Johannesburg.

fastjet Plc is quoted on the London Stock Exchange's AIM market.

For more information see www.fastjet.com

 

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