Start-up airline, ValueJet, has marked its first 100 days in operation, hinting on plans to acquire additional airplanes, wider network and affordable airfares.
The carrier, a hybrid model that combines features of low-cost and legacy carriers, has since October, leveraged the Lagos, Abuja, Benin, Asaba, and Port-Harcourt routes with estimated 90 per cent load factor and 95 per cent on-time departure.
In the next phase, the carrier is targeting Jos operations, to be followed by Akure, Yola, Kano, and Gombe. To complement the target will be three additional CRJ aircraft.
Managing Director of the airline, Capt. Dapo Majekodunmi, said the airline has successfully stabilised in 100 days, incorporating “passengers’ preferred time of travel into our schedule.”
Majekodunmi said: “The past 100 days had been interesting. As start-up, we expected that there would be issues that we would have to address. We did not get comfortable. So, every day that went by was better than the previous day. We have been able to study areas to further address, especially demand and customer satisfaction.”
He added that expansion would be gradual. “We are keeping our eyes on Akure, Yola, Kano, and Gombe. Those are destinations with great potential. The vision of the airline still remains the focal point, which is making flying available for everyone.
“Three additional CRJ aircraft are expected by the third quarter of 2023, while the aircraft would be a cargo configuration. It will be the first of such cargo planes operated in West Africa,” Majekodunmi said.
To fete customers on the anniversary, the airline has since January 16, introduced promo fares.
Chairman of ValueJet, Kunle Soname, reassured that the airline would keep innovating on the right pricing.
Team Lead, Marketing for ValueJet, Ayisat Adams, said they had identified a niche in the sector, the need for fair pricing amid the rising cost of commercial aviation to the average customer compounded by tough economic realities for air operators.
Notwithstanding, Adams reiterated that ValueJet would keep to the mission of making air travel affordable to everyone, and its vision to build a global airline, connecting people with places through modern air travel. “Value Jet Airline is here to add value to Nigerians flying populace,” she said.
