Fastjet reports 40% y-o-y increase in passenger numbers for July

Low cost African carrier Fastjet (LON:FJET) reported a 40% year-on- year increase in passenger numbers last month (July) surpassing expectations.

Passengers on the combined Fly540 and Fastjet fleets totalled 84,362 last month compared to 60,401 in July, 2012.

On its Tanzania operations, which began in November last year, there was a 14% increase in flyer numbers last month compared to the previous month (June).

The firm’s chief executive Ed Winter said: "As reported in last week’s operational update, Fastjet’s passenger numbers continue to grow at an impressive rate.

“Given the expected reduction in passengers due to Ramadan, we are delighted with 40% growth year on year.

“Particularly pleasing is the load factor of 79% across our Tanzanian routes.

“We reintroduced the Kilimanjaro to Zanzibar route in July, expecting a slow buildup in load factor. We recorded a load factor of 65% on this route which demonstrates the support we have been receiving from Travel Agents and Tour Operators that need a reliable airline to fly tourist passengers from safaris to the stunning beaches of Zanzibar.”

When reporting on airlines, the load factor is the number of passengers as a percentage of the number of available seats.

Fastjet recently launched ticket sales for the international route between Dar es Salaam and Johannesburg and sales at this early stage are encouraging, it said today.

The company expects to announce a number of additional international routes soon, it added.