Malawi govt hits back at FastJet airliner: ‘They have failed’

Minister of Transport Francis Kasaira has hit back at FastJet, telling the airliner not to attribute it business failures to government.

Kasiala: Fastjet have failed and should not balme it on Malalwi
Kasiala: Fastjet have failed and should not balme it on Malalwi
Fatjet stops Malawi route
Fatjet stops Malawi route

Kasaira was responding to FastJet’s assertion that it was leaving the skies of Malawi because of the fast nose diving of the kwacha and government failure to grant the airliner a licence to land at Chileka airport in Blantyre.

“They should just say they have failed in business instead of finding the government as scapegoat. Their fares were too low to sustain in the airline business. They had very few passengers. They thought by offering low fares they would attract more passengers but this never happened,” said the blunt talking Kasaira.

The airline offered K40000 as fare from Kamuzu international airport in Lilongwe to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, over K100000 normal price.

“We wondered how the company would survive with such low fares and few passengers but as government we would not tell them to raise the fares,” said the minister.

He parried away reports that the government refused the airliner permission to land at Chileka as way of protecting Malawians airlines where government has a substantial stake.

He said few airlines land at Chileka because of the bad condition of the airport.

“The airport is not in good condition, that is why we allow a few airlines to land there. We need to improve the runways and terminal buildings,” said Kasaira.

He said the government is simply abiding to aviation laws not protecting the interests of Malawian airlines formerly Air Malawi, the pride of Africa.

The minister ruled out granting permission to land at Chileka even if it rescinds its decision to suspend flying in the skies of Malawi.

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Pk
Pk
8 years ago

They have not failed. You have failed. Ho maybe they did not employed one of your sena cousins. Hence their failure.

Namila
Namila
8 years ago

when are you going to improve the condition of your airport mister? Honestly Malawi ka Chileka airport kukukanikani! I have been going to Malawi for the past three years but the Chileka airport is still in a sorry state. Poor Malawi! That country should be sold to anyone who can manage it! Shame on you people!

Dikisan
Dikisan
8 years ago

Asena, Savala pant. Check them please KKKK!

PenPusher
PenPusher
8 years ago

I stand to be corrected on this but fastjet has just clinched a deal with Zimbabwe and South Africa governments to fly their skies from Johannesburg to Harare and Vic Falls. This is a recent deal, so the Malawi government should own up for it’s failure to create a conducive environment for investment in this regard. Fastjet is really a pro-poor airline and it’s fares are very reasonable. Competition enhances better service delivery.

Andrew Kazombo
Andrew Kazombo
8 years ago

I v knw Fastjet as one of the cheapest airliners in the East African region…by operating in Malawi,there was no exceptional case. In most cases you would not get a seat to Dar on a short booking. The economic situation is not good for business.

Ninkawa ameneyo
Ninkawa ameneyo
8 years ago

Every where in the world you find cheap fares, for example one can fly from Berlin to Rome with only Euro 19 what do you want to say. Mwaononga boma apa. Taonani Road Traffic when you get out of that seat the road traffic will follow you. Primary

20 Jan 2016
20 Jan 2016
8 years ago

Am very disappointed with the minister’s responce! It could have been better if you could remain silent. What type of investers are you looking for if you are happy to see the already established investor packing? What is Mw gvt doing to arrest the falling of the Kwacha? Find solutions please and never fight with investors, you are discarding the image of the already dented image of Malawi gvt. Its the same reason why the west cant trust Peter becoz of how he handled the Foreign Affairs Ministry when his bro chased the British ambassador in 2011. Being a Cabinet… Read more »

China msolo china nzeru
China msolo china nzeru
8 years ago

Ba Kasaila you have let Malawians down and especially us the Senas, how can a big man like you talk such bull as you never went to school. You are an an embarassment to the Senas and the nation as a whole.

China solo China nzeru
China solo China nzeru
8 years ago

Ba Kasaila you let have let Malawians and and made us Senas look foolish, senseless and clueless. How can a big man and somebody who went to school talk such bull. You are an embarrassment to the Senas and the country as a whole.

Truth
Truth
8 years ago

Did Fast Jet experience low patronage? as far as i know i personally have been failing to get a seat to Dar at short notice. You had to book a month in advance. If it is about fares, they could have just raised fares proportinately to drop in value of kwacha. Even if it hit K80,000 by now, no complaint. Something not adding up here.

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