Fly540 Awarded 'International Designation' and to Commence Flights to the DRC and Southern Sudan with Further Additions to Fleet

19 September 2007
Content from a Premium Partner
Lonrho (London)
press release

Lonrho (AIM:LONR), the conglomerate with a structured portfolio of African investments, is pleased to announce that the Kenyan airline, Fly540 Aviation, in which Lonrho has a 49% shareholding, has been granted ‘partial international designation’ rights by the Kenyan Government permitting the airline to immediately start flights to Southern Sudan and the DRC.

This coveted designation has been granted in recognition of Fly540 becoming the second largest airline in Kenya with passenger loads for August of 16,000 domestic passengers and achieving 84% load capacity and on time departures at 93%.

Fly540 is now establishing regular scheduled passenger services to Juba in Southern Sudan and Goma in Democratic Republic of the Congo to commence from the 13th October.

The Juba route will link into the Fly540’s planned Southern Sudan operations and provides a launching pad to allow Fly540 to establish scheduled services within the country of Southern Sudan thereby replicating the successful Fly540 Kenya model.

The Goma route is regarded as strategic as no commercial carrier provides scheduled service links to Goma from Nairobi. Fly540 expects this to be a high yield route that will assist the movement of business trade and Aid providers in the region.

Fleet Expansion

To take advantage of the newly acquired international designation, Fly 540 has signed on another ATR42-320 to service these new routes.

Goma and Juba are strategic growth areas in Central Africa and provide some of the highest yields in the region. The ATR passenger fleet is idea for these sectors due to their efficiency, reliability and range.

Fly540 has also signed for delivery of a F27 Freighter aircraft to service this growing market in both Southern Sudan and Somalia. With the new international licence, Fly540 can take advantage of the large inflow of freight and aid into these regions. This is the first of three freighters scheduled to join the 540 fleet over the next six months.

David Lenigas, Lonrho Executive Chairman and CEO commented:

“Fly540 launched its first flight in November 2006 and has made significant progress and now provides regular scheduled services to seven destinations in Kenya. The granting of international designation status by the Kenyan Government is a substantive step forward for Fly540 and will allow the airline to expand into neighbouring counties. New services to the DRC and Southern Sudan in October will greatly assist business travellers and help Aid organisations to these destinations.”

ENQUIRIES

  • Lonrho 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 297903
  • Alisdair Haythornthwaite +44 (0) 20 7743 6676 +44 (0) 7714 721379
  • Collins Stewart Europe Hugh Field +44 (0) 20 7523 8350 Jonny Sloan

NOTES TO EDITORS

About Fly540

Fly540 introduced its first service from Nairobi to Mombasa on 24th November, 2006 and is well received by both business and leisure travellers. The airline now has regular services from Nairobi to Mombasa, Malindi, Lamu and Kisumu, Eldoret and the Mara and is the largest domestic low budget air carrier in East Africa.

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
  • Luba Freeport - www.lubafreeport.com
  • Fly540 - www.fly540.com
  • Norse Air - www.norseair.co.za
  • Swissta Holdings - www.swissta.com
  • SA Independent Liner Services
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