A NEW low-cost airline has declared a ticket price war on Air Zimbabwe and South African Airways.

Fly Kumba – Zimbabwe’s first low-cost airline – made its maiden flight from Johannesburg to Bulawayo last Thursday.

The flight costs less than HALF what Air Zimbabwe charges, and FOUR TIMES less than travelling on South African Airways.

Fly Kumba, operated by two South Africa-based Zimbabwean businessmen, Patrick Chapwanya and Lloyd Muchaka, will service the Bulawayo-Johannesburg route with three return flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

At just R800 for a one-way flight between the two cities in economy class, Fly Kumba has thrown down the pricing gauntlet at its competitors. For the same ticket, Air Zimbabwe charges R1,620 while a ticket on SAA is a cool R3,500.

Fly Kumba is operating a Boeing 737-500 leased from Air Namibia. The plane, with a capacity of 108 passengers, flew 50 people into Bulawayo on its maiden voyage and returned to Jo’burg with 80.

Chapwanya said a low-cost airline was long overdue in the SADC region.

“It was a hard road to this maiden flight but we are now glad to safely say we have taken off. This will be our primary route for now but we are geared to become the first low cost regional airline in due course,” he said.

“We view the low cost or budget airline concept as a niche market for us, more so because consumers are now bargain hunters who need the best service at less cost. We are thus geared to deliver the cheapest air fares with the highest consumer value while offering world-class service.”

With the cheap tickets, passengers on the flight will however have to forgo meals on the hour-long flight.

The airline says it has placed safety at the heart of its operation, and sees the 2010 FIFA World Cup being hosted by South Africa between June 11-July 11 as an opportunity to cash in.

[Online: www.flykumba.co.zw)

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