THE codeshare agreement announced in April by fastjet Mozambique and Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique (LAM) has meant increased flights on Beira, Quelimane and Tete routes.

Fastjet also offers daily flights from Maputo International Airport to Beira, Tete and Quelimane with its partner, Solenta Aviation Mozambique.

Under the agreement, fastjet and LAM sell seats on each other’s flights on these routes using their respective airline codes. Fastjet Group’s Corporate Communications Representative says the codeshare agreement is intended to provide customers with flexibility and convenience when flying between major cities. “It will provide both leisure and business travellers with more choices and ease of connections for a more convenient travel experience.”

Double-daily return flights between Maputo and Beira are now available, as is a daily frequency between Maputo and Quelimane. On the Maputo-Tete route there is an increase in flights per week.

Despite the increased airlift, Dana Tours’ Natalie Tenzer-Silva says getting around Mozambique remains a challenge for those selling the destination. “We need more flight connections with the tourism spots in the south, centre and north of the country. The additional flights are encouraging travel, however air travel focuses more on corporate clients. There are sufficient connections between major cities, but the tourism market requires flight connections between Vilanculos and Nampula and Inhambane and Beira, for example, to be able to ensure more tour combinations. Currently, tourists have to keep flying via Maputo to enable these combinations,” she says.

A source, who wished to remain anonymous, also told Tourism Update that the taxes were exorbitant, which was driving up the price of tickets.