FASTJET HALTS FLIGHTS BETWEEN VFA AND JNB
(Posted 17th February 2017)
Fastjet CEO Nico Bezuidenhout earlier in the week confirmed that, for the time being at least, flights between Victoria Falls and Johannesburg would be halted.
Presently using an Airbus A319 for routes flown from Harare is the airline keen to replace the larger aircraft with a more right sized plane of Embraer E190 make, which under a recently concluded deal with new major shareholder Solenta Aviation should become possible in the not too distant future. The choice of the Airbus A319 as the airline’s main aircraft has under Nico’s stewardship come under scrutiny and led to the decision to begin introduce smaller jets which, while not only more economical to fly, also met the requirements of several of Fastjet’s destinations with smaller passenger loads.
Bezuidenhout made the comments when announcing company results for the year ended on 31st December 2016.
The airline however continues to operate three weekly flights from Harare to Victoria Falls every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday, still allowing South African travelers to reach the iconic destination with a change of planes in Harare. Fastjet flies double daily between Harare and Johannesburg, apart from Saturdays which has only one service.
All eyes will be on Fastjet’s upcoming move of its head offices from London Gatwick to Johannesburg which should be completed by April this year.
