Regional low-cost carrier Jambojet has launched non-scheduled/charter flights in a move to diversify revenue streams following the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The operator is seeking for a rebound from the depressed operational environment occasioned by the previous suspension of all passenger flights on both its domestic and regional routes.
“Due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen a shift in consumer needs. Consumers now, more than ever, want privacy, convenience and their safety and wellbeing assured,” said Jambojet’s Acting Managing Director Karanja Ndegwa.
Jambojet says it is currently deploying a mere 55 per cent of its capacity on its scheduled flights leaving it with spare volume allowing the potential operation of charter services.
For instance, the carrier is only running five out of its available fleet of six.
“We keep matching demand to the capacity we have. This is to ensure we don’t hurt as a carrier,” added Ndegwa.
The launch of the chartered flights allows clients to make bookings on non-scheduled routes with pricing being centrally determined by distance covered.
The flights can be deployed to and from any part of the world pending requisite approvals by local regulators with a full-payload allowing flights of between three to four hours while the charter accommodates a maximum of 78 passengers per flight.
Jambojet estimates it has lost up to Ksh.1.2 billion in revenues from the suspension of passenger flights between March and mid-July.
The airline is however hopeful of a near term rebound including the return of its flights to Entebbe and Kigali.
“Any business in the transport space was affected be it low-costs or legacy operators. We have lost almost 80 per cent of our revenues. However, you can easily dust down and pick up the pieces as a regional carrier that you would as an international operator,” said Jambojet’s Head of Sales and Marketing Titus Oboogi.
The low-cost carrier has continued to innovate its way around the pandemic including the recent launch of direct flights that do not require stopping at its main terminus in Nairobi following approval by mother company Kenya Airways.
