FlySafari revels in positive receptiion
JUST ahead of the launch of
services this month, FlySafair
has been overwhelmed with
positive response from the
public and trade alike.
Says ceo, Dave Andrew:
“There is plainly a real
appetite within the South
African domestic travel
market for access to cheaper
airfares, and an air product
that allows the consumer to
exercise choice. Bookings
for peak periods over the
Christmas and Easter holiday
periods are well in advance
of expectations, with some
flights already achieving 70%
load factors. Our launch flights
are filling up fast and we are
excited about starting our
flying programme from the
Mother City.”
As expected, the Cape
Town-Johannesburg route is
“wildly popular”. Dave says
it’s the 10th busiest air route
in the world, and FlySafair’s
arrival has re-stimulated this
market. An ultra-low lead-in
price of R499 (inclusive of tax)
is allowing people who have
never travelled by air before to
do so. Bookings on the George
and Port Elizabeth routes are
also “building nicely”.
Trade support has been
encouraging, reports Dave,
adding that at the recent
Travel Trade Airline mini-fair in
Parktown, Johannesburg, the
feedback was extraordinary.
“We were welcomed with open
arms. Agencies from across
the region were eager to tell
us where we should fly next
or expand services to. The
agency and tour operator
community totally understand
that if airfares come down,
people make more trips and
can spend more on the other
components such as car, hotel
and experiences. We salute
the travel trade and look
forward to working with them!”
Fastjet launches 'Smartclass' and 'Freighty' services
fastjet is offering a premium
fare, SmartClass, on all its
flights.
SmartClass offers advance
premium seat allocation,
increased baggage allowance
up to 32kg, and the ability
to change flight dates as
many times as required at no
additional cost. An upgrade
on international routes costs
US$450 (R5 060) one way.
International passengers can
also now take up to 80kg of
hold luggage by purchasing
the Freighty upgrade package
at a cost of US$80 (R900).
This package is designed to
appeal to passengers who fly
with fastjet to either collect or
purchase wholesale produce
from the port and markets in
Dar es Salaam to sell in their
home markets.
Fastjet chief commercial
officer, Richard Bodin, said:
“By creating SmartClass
we can provide additional
flexibility, quick disembarkation
from the front rows, and the
ability to travel with a baggage
allowance more appropriate to
the needs of today’s business
traveller – all as part of a
single, simple, all-inclusive
fare.
“We have also learned a
great deal from talking to our
international passengers on
flights from Harare and Lusaka
and their feedback has led
us to introduce the innovative
Freighty product. It’s a simple
product enhancement, which
is easy to administer and
will allow our passengers to
benefit from the large capacity
of our aircraft’s holds.
Affordable long-haul leisure flights from Lufthansa
LUFTHANSA is planning to
radically alter its approach to
intercontinental leisure-dominated
routes by offering more affordable
flight options. Whether the lowcost
model will be available in
South Africa is not yet known,
according to Axel Simon, director
Southern Africa for Lufthansa.
“Lufthansa is currently in the
planning stages and has not
yet revealed which leisuredominated
destinations are being
considered.”
The LCC operation forms part of
the Wings concept – new low-cost
‘platforms’ (subsidiaries and joint
ventures) under the Wings name
to operate budget flights within
Europe and to selected long-haul
destinations, targeting leisure
travellers. One option being
considered is based on the Sun
Express model, which is a 50-50
joint venture between Lufthansa
and Turkish Airlines.
The airline will fit up to 14
Airbus A340-300s from its longhaul
fleet with a cabin that is
optimised for leisure travel, in
an attempt to make its longhaul
operations more profitable.
Commencing with the 2015/2016
winter flight timetable, this
A340-300 sub-fleet will fly at a
much lower cost. The aircraft
will operate with 18 businessclass
seats, 19 in premium
economy and 221 in economy,
and will serve new leisure travel
destinations from which Lufthansa
would otherwise have to withdraw.
Cresta properties target self-drive market
CRESTA Hotels has budget properties
in Zimbabwe and Botswana, located in
popular stopovers on self-drive trips.
Francistown is Botswana’s secondlargest
city and a convenient stopover
on the way to Kasane, Maun or Victoria
Falls. It is undergoing an economic
boom due to the resuscitation of the
gold mining industry, and new growth
in the property and transport sectors.
Its attractions include the Supangwao
Museum, the Tachila Nature Reserve,
craft markets and Birds and Game
Botswana, an animal orphanage.
Cresta Marang Gardens, set in
tropical gardens on the banks of the
Tati River just outside Francistown,
was refurbished last year and is
popular as a wedding venue. A wellappointed
campsite is also available on
manicured lawns under the shade of a
large tree. Campers have access to all
hotel amenities, including the use of
the pool and gym and WiFi connectivity.
Jwaneng is another popular Botswana
pit-stop, especially for those driving
between South Africa and Windhoek
along the Trans-Kalahari Highway.
Tourists can visit the local Jwaneng
diamond mine and the Jwana Game
Park with its Cheetah Conservation
Botswana field unit.
The Cresta Jwaneng is only five
minutes from both these attractions. It
has 65 air-conditioned bedrooms with
en-suite bathrooms, a swimming pool,
restaurant and bar, Internet access
and satellite television. It also has
conference facilities for 200 people.
In Zimbabwe, Cresta’s Oasis
Apartments in Harare appeal to all
types of tourists, notably long-stay
guests. It is situated in the CBD, and
banks, businesses and key government
offices are all within easy reach.
Apartment guests also enjoy all the
amenities at the Cresta Oasis Hotel,
such as two conference venues, a
business centre and the Café Afrique
restaurant.
The apartments are generously
proportioned, feature a seating area, a
work station, and a kitchenette for selfcatering.
Guests receive a free weekly
pack of tea and coffee.
There is safe parking, 24-hour
uncapped WiFi, and a 24-hour
generator.
