Fastjet passenger numbers up 33pc year on year

Fastjet has increased the number of passengers carried by 33% for the month of September compared to the previous year.

The Tanzania-based airline revealed its passenger statistics for September on Monday.

They showed a total of 76,595 passengers carried, representing 64% of available seats on its flights.

In September 2014, the airline only carried 57,709 passengers, but with fewer flights at the time that meant it had 74% of available seats filled.

Despite the introduction of daily flights between Dar es Salaam and Johannesburg and the frequency of flights on other routes increased, month on month the airline saw a 0.1% drop in passengers.

Fastjet chief executive Ed Winter said difficult trading conditions in Tanzania outlined in September have placed pressure on revenues and load factors.

“In light of this, and a significant increase in capacity, we are pleased to have achieved a load factor of 64%.”