Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Low cost airline kulula.com, operated by Comair Limited, is set to take delivery of two brand new Boeings before the end of 2015.
Originally ordered in 2009, as part of kulula's R2,5-billion investment in its fleet upgrade, the first of two new Next generation Boeing 737-800’s will arrive from Seattle on Sunday 10 August 2015, with the other joining the kulula fleet in early October.
This will make up a total of six Next generation Boeing 737-800’s, since kulula took delivery of four in 2014 and gives the low cost airline the youngest fleet in Southern Africa, "with an average age of 11 years".
The new planes are amongst the most efficient aircraft currently available, according to the airline, making it cheaper to operate and kinder to the environment than older planes since they use less fuel.
“The new 737-800’s utilise 18 percent less fuel per seat than the aircraft we are replacing, thereby saving two million-litres of fuel per aircraft per year for the equivalent total seats. Our decision to purchase these highly fuel efficient aircraft is a significant component in managing our exposure to the volatile fuel price,” said CEO of Comair Limited, Erik Venter.
The airline has come a long way since its launch in 2001 with one leased aircraft, one route and a handful of passengers. By end 2015 it will operate ten aircraft in total, carrying 2.8 million passengers over 14 routes across the region.
“We are excited about our new fleet and we are confident that this investment strategy will support kulula in delivering the great value that our customers are familiar with since we championed low-cost flying 14 years ago in South Africa.”
The fleet renewal strategy is also supported by cutting edge technology with the fitting of Split Scimitar Winglets (SSW) to all its new planes, which further reduce fuel consumption by 1.4% per aircraft, increase efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and result in an average cost saving of R1.3 million per aircraft per year, the airline said.
kulula is also the only airline in Southern Africa to boasts the 737 Boeing Sky Interior on its new planes.
“This is testament to kulula's long-term objective of investing in future technology to maintain the highest standards of safety and ensure continuous sustainability” Venter said.
