Services between Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport and Victoria Falls International Airport will operate using fastjet’s modern Airbus A319 jet aircraft with seating for up to 156 passengers.
Initially operating twice a week on Fridays and Sundays, fastjet’s flights will depart Victoria Falls at 12h40 and land in Johannesburg at 14h15, with a flight time of 1 hour 35 minutes. The return flight from Johannesburg departs at 14h55 and lands in Victoria Falls at 16h35.
Tickets for the Victoria Falls flights from Johannesburg are on sale immediately, with fastjet advising passengers to book early to take advantage of its lowest priced fares of R1,939 one-way, which includes all government and airport taxes.
To promote its newest international route, fastjet will provide a discount of R510 for any tickets booked before 25 March for travel from 25 March to 30 October 2016. To earn this discount customers will need to use the promo code JET30.
“fastjet believes that affordable air travel is key to the continued growth of tourism between Zimbabwe and South Africa, with Victoria Falls being long established as a tourism drawcard to the region,” said Richard Bodin, fastjet’s Chief Commercial Officer. “Launching this route between Victoria Falls and Johannesburg makes it more affordable for South Africans to visit the area’s many sights and attractions.”
“Prior to announcing these flights to Victoria Falls, fastjet had detailed discussions with South African and Zimbabwean tour operators in order to deliver suitable flight components to include in packaged tour offerings. We will rely on continued support from the travel agents and tour operators due to the destinations’ strong tourism attractions,” said Bodin.
The new route between Victoria Falls and Johannesburg follows closely on the success of fastjet’s route launches between Harare and Victoria Falls, and its first international route from Harare to Johannesburg. fastjet increased the frequency of its flights from Harare to Johannesburg just two weeks after the first flight took to the skies, and now connects the two cities 12 times each week.
The airline expects many of its passengers on these new flights to be first time visitors to Victoria Falls, who would otherwise not have been able to afford to travel to what is a popular holiday destination for Southern Africans.
Supporting this expectation is research undertaken by the airline, showing that up to 40% of its passengers on all routes were first time flyers able to afford air travel for the first time, thanks to fastjet’s low fares.
“African consumers pay extortionate fares for regional air travel, especially to tourism destinations. The lack of real competition on many routes keeps prices artificially high, which can make air travel and exploring beautiful holiday destinations like Victoria Falls beyond the reach of most,” Bodin/Lanca said.
“Affordable airfares will make it easier for more tourists and other visitors to travel to Victoria Falls, which in turn will boost tourism and contribute significantly to the region’s economic growth,” said Bodin.
Tribeca Public Relations
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