FASTJET INTRODUCES FIRST EMBRAER 190

Fastjet Embraer E190

FASTJET will today start flying an Embraer E190 on domestic routes as it begins transitioning its Airbus A319 fleet to Embraer airplanes in line with its long term operational and financial stability strategy.

The firm’s country General Manager, Mr John Corse, told reporters in Dar es Salaam yesterday 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.

“We’ve seen some exciting changes in our airline recently, all made to improve the service that we offer to our loyal customers. One of these changes includes choosing a different type of aircraft to service our routes in Tanzania and further a field on the African continent,” he said.

On Monday, the company announced to sell its wholly owned aircraft, Airbus A319 as part of important step in stabilisation plan and a move towards a more appropriate size of fleet.

“Its early days but the plan is progressing well and the money raised from this sale will be used to drive its continued implementation,” a statement issued on Monday quoted Fastjet Chief Executive Nico Bezuidenhout.

He added that the disposal of the Airbus A319 is part of a fleet reduction plan as it moves to smaller aircraft on short term leases. According to Mr Corse, 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.

“We’re very proud and grateful for the support our customers have been giving us and we promise to continue offering our high quality services and listening to our customers’ demands,” said the Fastjet Tanzania General Manager.

Meanwhile, an aviation consumers’ rights body has ordered FastJet to compensate passengers for mishandling them after canceling flights without proper notifications. The airline canceled and rescheduled Dar-Mwanza and Dar-Mbeya flights on September 28 without notifying passengers.

The passengers later filed a complaint to Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority Consumer Consultative Council (TCACCC) which investigated the matter and established that the passengers were mistreatment.

TCAA-CCC Deputy Executive Secretary Debora Mligo said in a statement yesterday that the airline is supposed to pay the passengers according to the law of the land. Also “FastJet ticket sales should go concurrent with the number of seats available and should inform passengers when there are flight changes because they have the right to be informed, she said.

The airline also was directed to educate their staff to use a customer-based language when addressing passengers during flight changes, delays and cancellations.

The body received complaints from stranded passengers on September 28 who were traveling between Dar- Mbeya and Dar-Mwanza that the airline rescheduled flight without notifying them.

Also the passengers complained on inappropriate language used by FastJet staff when addressing the issue and ignored them as though they have no right to know of what was going on.

In May this year, Kisutu Magistrate Court ordered the airline to pay a passenger 30m/- as compensation after failing to inform him following a flight rescheduled. The court also ordered the refund of customer’s fare 43,000/-plus extra 339,000/- he spent on purchasing a ticket from another airline.

Source: Dailynews