By IANS,
Mumbai: India’s largest private carrier Jet Airways is targeting the African market with the launch of a non-stop service between the commercial hubs of Mumbai and Johannesburg daily from April 14.
“The airline will introduce services to the Rainbow Nation using a new state-of-the-art A 330-200 aircraft. The launch of this new route marks the first time Jet Airways is adding destinations to Africa on its international route network,” the carrier said in a statement Tuesday.
Flight 9W 242 will leave Mumbai at 0205 hours, arriving in Johannesburg at 0735 hrs. On the return leg, flight 9W 241 will leave Johannesburg at 1100 hrs, arriving in Mumbai at 2330 hrs.
“Given the strong linkages between India and South Africa, and the large number of people of Indian origin, we believe that there is untapped potential and this new route promises to serve the needs of our discerning corporate and leisure flyers,” said chief executive of the carrier Nikos Kardassis.
“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,” added Kardassis.
Return economy fares from various Indian cities start from Rs.35,595 ($712 approximately) while return Premier (Business Class) fares start from Rs.116,020 ($2,320 approximately).
Johannesburg will be the twenty-second destination in the airline’s international network.
Jet Airways currently flies to New York (both JFK and Newark), Toronto, Brussels, London (Heathrow), Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Colombo, Bangkok, Kathmandu, Dhaka, Kuwait, Bahrain, Muscat, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Jeddah, Sharjah and Riyadh.