Fly540 to Commence Scheduled Flights to Masai Mara

20 June 2007
Content from a Premium Partner
Lonrho (London)
press release

Lonrho (AIM: LONR), the African conglomerate with a diverse portfolio of investments ranging from infrastructure, transportation, support services and natural resources, is pleased to announce that Five Forty Aviation Limited ("Fly540"), Lonrho's 49% owned subsidiary, which operates low cost flights in East Africa, will be introducing daily flights to the Mara in Kenya from three destinations from 15 July, 2007, targeting the increasing number of tourists travelling to the Masai Mara National Wildlife Reserve.

Fly540 plans to introduce flights from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, making it the first airline to run flights directly from Nairobi's International Airport to the Masai Mara. This will cater for the significant growth in tourism into Kenya and in particular to the Mara which has recently been described as the Seventh Wonder of the World. Kenya continues to benefit from it's unique mix as a 'bush, beach and business' destination. Additionally Fly540 plans to introduce flights from Mombasa and Malindi to the Mara, which will complement the strong leisure market from Europe directly into the coastal region.

David Lenigas, Lonrho Executive Chairman and Chief Executive, commented:

"Intercontinental air traffic into Kenya has grown rapidly through the last 5 years with many of the world's major airlines placing wide bodied capacity into the region. The latest arrival is Virgin Atlantic, which has begun operating daily services into Nairobi's International hub from 1 June, 2007. As with their counterparts, they have identified a robust and varied market potential within Kenya and the wider East African region. Fly540 is well placed to feed and complement these large scale operations alongside its core business of point to point flying within Africa.

Fly540 has made significant progress having launched its first flight in November 2006, flying to two destinations. Fly540 will now be flying to six destinations, demonstrating the Company's strength and potential. Fly540 will now benefit from tapping into possibly one of the largest routes for international tourism in East Africa. Our investment in Fly540 is an excellent example of our strategy to invest not only in African infrastructure but also growth businesses."

Don Smith, Fly540 Chief Executive, commented:

"We are extremely pleased to be flying a further three routes, connecting the Masai Mara to three other important Kenyan locations. We have found that there is a huge demand from the Kenyan tourism industry to make these routes available, which will not only cater for international tourists but also those living locally in Kenya who wish to make the journey. We believe that Fly540's strong progress since launch is testimony to our strong business model and potential to grow as we focus on introducing international flights later in the year. We are well equipped to expand Fly540 and have recently acquired two new aircraft which has increased the capacity of our fleet. We are extremely positive about the future of Fly540."

Enquiries:

For further information, please contact:

  • Lonrho Africa Plc +44 (0) 20 7016 5105
  • David Lenigas, Chief Executive +44 (0)7881 825 378
  • Emma Priestley, Executive Director +44 (0)7867 785 177
  • Pelham PR Charles Vivian +44 (0) 20 7743 6672, +44 (0) 7977 297 903
  • Alisdair Haythornthwaite +44 (0) 20 7743 6676, +44 (0) 771 472 1379

Notes to Editors:

About Fly540:

Fly540 introduced its first service to Mombasa seven months ago on 24 November, 2006 and was well received by both business and leisure travellers. The airline has since added a further three destinations including Malindi, Lamu and Kisumu and is the pioneering low cost air carrier in East Africa. The airline intends to expand to international destinations towards the end of 2007 to include a minimum of three other regional destinations in East Africa and a further four in 2008.

About Lonrho:

Lonrho Plc is an expanding conglomerate that is rapidly growing a successful business throughout Africa. The Company is listed on the London AIM stock exchange (LONR). Lonrho is strategically focused on the development of business opportunities in infrastructure, transportation, support services and natural resources. The Company has over 20,000 shareholders and substantial institutional backing to support its mandate to build a profitable business that plays a fundamental role in the development of the African economy.

Since 2006, the Company has invested in or acquired control of:

  • Hotel Cardoso - www.hotelcardoso.co.mz (retained)
  • Nare Diamonds - www.narediamonds.com
  • Brinkley Mining - www.brinkley-mining.com
  • Luba Freeport - www.lubafreeport.com
  • Fly540 - www.fly540.com
  • Norse Air - www.norseair.co.za
  • Swissta Holdings - www.swissta.com
  • Countermine plc - www.countermine.com
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