October passenger statistics

RNS Number : 4608E

Fastjet PLC

04 November 2015

 

fastjet plc

("fastjet" or the "Company")

4 November 2015

fastjet Passenger Statistics for October 2015

fastjet operations carried a total of 73,758 passengers in October 2015 and achieved a load factor of 63%. The amount of seats offered across the network has grown by almost 14,000 compared to October 2014 (a 23% increase in capacity). Due to the launch of fastjet Zimbabwe on 28 October 2015, the two flights that operated between Harare and Victoria Falls in October feature in the total above.

Punctuality for the month remained excellent, with 91% of fastjet Tanzania flights arriving on time ^{Note 3}, despite some severe weather that resulted in flooding across Tanzania.

Ed Winter, Chief Executive Officer of fastjet, said: "The load factor this month has been significantly affected by a change in market demand in Tanzania due to the Presidential elections. We expected a downturn in the few days leading to the election and on the day itself. However, due to the unusually competitive nature of this year's elections, people tended to suspend travel plans until the inauguration. There have been no significant reports of civil unrest in the country and I am pleased to report that bookings are beginning to return to expected levels.

"I am also delighted with the successful launch of fastjet Zimbabwe. We have clearly captured the imagination of the Zimbabwean market having sold over 2,600 seats in a few short weeks on our first route which links Harare with Victoria Falls. We are working hard on growing the network to and from Zimbabwe and our applications to operate to various regional countries have already been sent by the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe."

Note: as fastjet broadens its operations, exposing us to more competitors, the Company has decided for commercial reasons to cease reporting monthly passenger statistics with effect from January 2016, and will instead include updates in interim and end of year accounts.

Month ending	October 2015	October 2014	Change
Passengers Note 1	73,758	59,830	23%
Load Factor Note 2	63%	74%	-11pp
Rolling 12 months ending	October 2015	October 2014	Change
Passengers Note 1	791,758	539,205	47%

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:

fastjet Plc	Tel: [phone]
Rose Herbert, Investor Relations Manager
UK media - Citigate Dewe Rogerson	Tel: [phone]
Angharad Couch
Eleni Menikou
Nick Hayns
South African media - Tribeca Public Relations	Tel: [phone]
Cian Mac Eochaidh
Kelly Webster
For investor enquiries please contact:

Liberum Capital Limited - Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker	Tel: [phone]
Clayton Bush
Christopher Britton
W.H. Ireland Ltd.- Joint Broker	Tel: [phone]
James Joyce
Mark Leonard
Sanlam Securities UK Limited - Joint Broker	Tel: [phone]
Simon Clements/Ken Williams

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. fastjet Zimbabwe was successfully launched in October 2015. 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. Utilising its fleet of Airbus A319s, 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.

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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