Jambojet is set to expand its wings in East Africa with the launch of a double daily flight between Entebbe and Nairobi on February 14, 2018.
This will see the Nairobi-based airline become the first regional low cost airline with an introductory fare of USD 116 (incl. taxes) one-way, and officials say customers will initially be able to purchase tickets from the airline’s booking portal – Jambojet.com, as the airline rolls out the other booking channels.
Further, officials say Jambojet will operate double daily flights with departures from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) at 09.10hrs and 17.30 hrs, while the flight from Entebbe International Airport for Nairobi depart at 11.00hrs and 19.20hrs daily.
“We are delighted to launch direct service to Entebbe, a much-anticipated addition to our network where we will offer frequent and new flyers even more affordable fares. This new route will connect businesses in Kenya and Uganda while also appealing to leisure travelers, offering them the opportunity to experience the ‘Pearl of Africa’”, Willem Hondius, the CEO Jambojet said.
Mr. Hondius further noted that the airline has seen an upward trend on its domestic traffic: “We are optimistic that the regional flight will spur the airline’s growth as well as foster regional integration at a national level,” he added.
The airline currently operates a relatively small fleet of four Dash 8 Q400 aircraft, but the route will be served with the recently acquired 78-seater Bombardier Next Gen Q400 as it plans to venture to other regional destinations.
The barely four-year-old airline which currently operates to Eldoret, Kisumu, Malindi, Mombasa, Nairobi and Ukunda has achieved undeniable business growth; increased numbers of routes from four to six, increased frequency of flights due to fleet expansion and flown over two million passengers.
A report by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in 2017 revealed that African airlines’ traffic was expected to grow by up to 9.9 per cent annually. The report noted African airports continue to record positive performance, welcoming an increase in international arrivals that currently stands at 14 per cent.
