Publications
Partners
Johannesburg - Kulula.com, operated by Comair, will soon be receiving two new Boeings.
Kulula ordered six Next Generation Boeing 737-800s in 2009 and has taken delivery of four already. The fifth new aircraft is expected to arrive from Seattle on August 10 2015, with another joining the kulula fleet in early October.
Then the average age of kulula's fleet will be eleven years.
The new planes are cheaper to operate and more environmentally friendly.
According to Comair CEO Erik Venter the new 737-800s utilise 18% less fuel per seat than the aircraft it is 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 Venter.
To save fuel kulula is also fitting Split Scimitar Winglets (SSW). This will further reduce fuel consumption by 1.4% per aircraft, increase efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and result in an average cost saving of R1.3m per aircraft per year.
“Kulula is the first African airline to install this cutting edge technology to its aircraft which is testament to its long-term objective of investing in future technology to maintain the highest standards of safety and ensure continuous sustainability,” said Venter.
The new design offers larger pivoting overhead stowage bins that add to the openness of the cabin. The bins give more passenger room to store carry-on luggage near their own seat.
Kulula 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. The R2,5-billion investment in its fleet upgrade is fundamental to Comair's business strategy of consistently improving customer service and value, while ensuring a sustainable airline.
All of kulula’s pilots have been trained extensively on the new aircraft as Comair invested in a new Boeing 737-800 flight training simulator in 2011 at a cost of R80m.
“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,” Venter concluded.
