3 March 2010
India’s Jet Airways has announced the introduction of daily direct flights between Johannesburg and Mumbai from 14 April, using a state-of-the-art Airbus A330-200 aircraft on the route.
The launch of the new route marks the first time that Jet Airways will fly to Africa.
“Jet Airways is delighted to enter Africa with its daily Mumbai-Johannesburg service,” Jet Airways CEO Nikos Kardassis said in a statement last month. “South Africa’s reputation as a leading tourist and business destination, and the fact that it will play host to the 2010 Fifa World Cup, also presents a huge opportunity for Jet Airways.”
‘Strong linkages’
Karkassis said the airline was confident that it would soon emerge as one of the first-choice carriers on the popular route, given its vast domestic network in India and expanding international footprint.
He said that South Africa and the African region was an important market for the airline, and that they were confident of capturing and growing the market.
“Given the strong linkages between India and South Africa, and the large number of people of Indian origin living in and/or working in South Africa, we believe that there is untapped potential, and this new route promises to serve the needs of our discerning corporate and leisure flyers,” he said.
Flight 9W 242 will depart Mumbai at 2.05am daily, arriving in Johannesburg at 7.35am. On the return leg, flight 9W 241 will depart Johannesburg at 11am daily, arriving in Mumbai at 11.30pm.
The wide-bodied twin aisle cabin of the A330-200 will be configured in two classes, with 30 seats in business class and 190 seats in economy.
SAinfo reporter
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