Fastjet’s new plane coming as firm seeks cutting costs

What you need to know:

  • “The new, modern aircraft arrives in Tanzania this week and will await regulatory approvals after which its launch flight will take place,” the airline said in a statement yesterday.
  • The Embraer E190 replaces the Airbus A319 which has now gone out of service.

Dar es Salaam. Fastjet’s first Embraer E190 is arriving this week as the budget airline minimizes costs to operate profitably, the company has announced.

“The new, modern aircraft arrives in Tanzania this week and will await regulatory approvals after which its launch flight will take place,” the airline said in a statement yesterday.

The Embraer E190 replaces the Airbus A319 which has now gone out of service.

The second Embraer E190 is expected toward mid-November.

Fastjet believes that switching to a small aircraft, which uses less fuel and has a better maintenance interval, was a key part of the airline’s turnaround strategy.

The company announced last year that it would sell its wholly-owned Airbus A319 as part of important step in stabilisation plan and a move towards a more appropriate size of fleet.

The Embraer E190 jet is a modern aircraft which is able to fly at high altitude for greater efficiency and passenger comfort. He said fastjet was committed to simplifying air travel by making it easy for customers to access low fares.

In-between the first flight of the new aircraft and the exit of the old, fastjet will be flying an interim schedule that impacts flights between Mbeya and Dar es Salaam. In addition, fastjet has also launched a plan to greatly improve its customer service.

The fastjet Tanzania spokesperson, Ms Lucy Mbogoro said yesterday that the company has embarked on a modern, comfortable and reliable approach to the business as it intends to reclaim its position as one of the continent’s most on-time airlines following the recent cancellations due to technical challenges.