FastJet spreads distribution network

FASTJET WIDENS REACH BY SIGNING ON TO NEW DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS

(Posted 09th January 2014)

FastJet yesterday announced the signing of two additional distribution agreements that will allow travel agents worldwide to access and sell its flights.

The first agreement, signed recently with Skyscanner, the award-winning global travel search and comparison company, will enable consumers to compare fastjet’s flight schedules and prices against those of other African carriers via www.skyscanner.net/. Visitors to the site will then be able to link directly to FastJet’s website and book flights. Skyscanner currently has over 25 million unique visitors every month.

In addition has FastJet also signed an agreement with Hahn Air Systems, a sister company and client of Hahn Air. Through Hahn Air Systems’ e-alliance® product, FastJet’s flight information will be available within all of the main Global Distribution Systems (GDS), including Amadeus, Sabre and Travelport. This will give FastJet access to over 91,000 travel agencies worldwide and the link with Hahn Air Systems will provide unencumbered access to these systems. It is anticipated that FastJet’s flights will feature on the GDS within the next month.

Commenting on the collaboration, Alexander Proschka, Managing Director of Hahn Air Systems, was quoted in a media release as saying: ‘FastJet, as one of our first customers in Africa, extends our airline portfolio of e-alliance® with pan-African routes and competitive prices for global distribution. Hahn Air Systems is looking forward to fruitful cooperation with FastJet entailing joint sales and growth’.

Ellis Cain-Jones, FastJet’s Chief Commercial Officer, was quoted to have responded: ‘Continuing our success in establishing FastJet as a true low cost airline, we now want to expand access to our affordable pan-African flights to travel agents worldwide. Our new partners will benefit from FastJet’s drive for cost-efficient global distribution in both traditional and digital arenas’.

The additional distribution channels will pave the way for FastJet’s launch of new routes in 2014, with Lusaka already announced and more to follow. Watch this space for breaking and regular aviation news from across Eastern Africa and the Indian Ocean islands.