Jambojet acquires new plane to ease flight disruptions

Low cost carrier Jambojet has acquired a new plane as it plans to expand its domestic services.

Jambojet has leased the Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 from Abu Dhabi Aviation and will retire one of the Q400’s on its fleet.

The additional plane is expected to address the airline’s challenge with delays as well as stabilize its flight schedule.

In December, Jambojet came under sharp criticism after it increased the number of flights to the coast but was forced to cancel most on account of unavailability of planes.

This has been occasioned by technical challenges on its fleet plying coastal routes that have forced the airline to reschedule most of its flights.

Some passengers heading to Diani and Malindi were flown to Mombasa International Airport for onward transfer by bus to their intended destinations.

Jambojet was expected to take delivery of the new plane in November as part of plans to increase flights.

Jambojet Chief Executive Officer Willem Hondius said the 78-seater aircraft has lower operating costs and will help the airline optimize operations.

“We selected the Q400 aircraft because it has the speed and range required to service all our current domestic destinations and targeted regional destinations. It has proven to be the right aircraft for this market.  In addition, the aircraft’s cabin will provide a quiet and very comfortable experience for our passengers,” Mr Hondius said.

Jambojet currently operates two Q400s as well as two Boeing 737s.

The fleet expansion strategy is expected to enable the no frills carrier to stabilize its flight schedule with the possibility of opening new routes.

In the nearly three years of operation, Jambojet has grown the number of routes it operates on to seven, flying over 1.5 million passengers.

Jambojet flies to Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu as well as to Eldoret, Malindi Ukunda and Lamu.

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Jambojet Abu Dhabi Aviation aquires new plane Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 DAC Aviation dlight delays Jambojet Chief Executive Officer Willem Hondius low cost carrier no frills

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