| Wed 20 Jun 2007, 16:18 | | LAF - Lonrho Plc - FLY540 to commence scheduled fl |
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LAF
LOLAF
LAF - Lonrho Plc - FLY540 to commence scheduled flights to Masai Mara
Lonrho Plc
(Incorporated and registered in England and Wales)
(Registration number 2805337)
(Share code: LAF; ISIN number: GB0002568813)
("Lonrho" or "the Company")
FLY540 TO COMMENCE SCHEDULED FLIGHTS TO MASAI MARA
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
20 June 2007
South African sponsor to Lonrho Africa Plc
Java Capital (Proprietary) Limited
Date: 20/06/2007 16:18:01 Produced by the JSE SENS Department.
