FlyAfrica slashes fares

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BUDGET airline flyafrica yesterday said it will introduce a second daily flight between Harare and Johannesburg from March 30 as part of its expansion strategy for its low-cost business model and cut prices by 25% for the route.

BUDGET airline flyafrica yesterday said it will introduce a second daily flight between Harare and Johannesburg from March 30 as part of its expansion strategy for its low-cost business model and cut prices by 25% for the route.

“The second daily flight will commence from March 30 with fares starting from $39. (This) means that flyafrica.com will offer 25% price cut on all flights on this route, the largest regional aviation market in Southern Africa,” said the company in a statement .

Flyafrica has been operating for eight months in Zimbabwe and offers low fare flights from Bulawayo, Harare and Victoria Falls to Johannesburg as well as domestic Zimbabwe flights between Harare and Victoria Falls.

“This is another milestone both for our airline and for Zimbabwe,” said the chief executive, Chakanyuka Karase.

“South African-based airlines have held the lion’s share of this market for many years and have had limited competition.

“As a result, we have always had to endure high fares to travel to our important trade partner, South Africa. South Africans have had to endure high fares to come here for business or leisure. That has now changed. With the launch of flyafrica.com we reduced fares to $39 one-way, compared to other airlines that can charge up to $400 one-way.”

The airline, which is a partnership between the Karase family’s Fresh Air and Mike Bond of the now-defunct One Time of South Africa, has a fleet of five aircraft.

— The Source