African low-cost airline fastjet (LON:FJET) has signed a digital distribution agreement with Qunar.com, one of China’s largest travel portals.
The portal attracts 75mln monthly visitors and 34mln mobile app users, so being on the site puts the airline firmly in the shop window in the People’s Republic.
fastjet flights will be available to view on Qunar.com and click-through traffic will be referred to fastjet.com to convert.
The airline already has agreements with a number of travel agents specialising in ticket sales to the Chinese market, but Ellis Cain-Jones, head of Commercial at fastjet, said this deal represents a firm step to increase numbers and direct sales in a market where passenger traffic is realising significant year-on-year growth.
“The number of Chinese passengers flying into East Africa is already significant and offering fastjet fares and schedules to this growing market will only be positive for the airline," Cain-Jones said.
Shares in fastjet were trading at 0.95p in the afternoon session, down from 1p overnight.