Life & Work

How to get that elusive low airfare

JAMBO

Jambojet MD Willem Hondius at his office on July 28, 2014. PHOTO | DIANA NGILA

Jambojet, the low-cost airline which launched on April 1 this year, has already marked its 100th day in the market.

Inspite of the travel advisories and the insecurity (people travelling less for leisure now), the airline has somehow realised a market growth of 50 per cent, ferrying over 150,000 passengers so far.

Though they are struggling with some flights, Willem says that they have an 85 per cent on-time flying record, quite impressive in aviation circles.

Willem’s career in the aviation industry spans over 30 years, having worked with KLM since 1984 in various positions. He was with the airline for 15 years before moving to Transavia Airlines, a subsidiary of KLM.

In 2012, he moved to Nairobi as KLM’s general manager for eastern Africa before his current position.

A towering man, you couldn’t miss him dressed in flight attendant garb serving passengers on a flight. Or in the bustle of downtown Nairobi, distributing flyers during the Jambojet promotion.

We met for tea at the Serena Hotel on a very cold morning.

Okay, just how tall are you?

I’m 6’4”, I think. I’m Dutch, we are quite tall.

Last time we spoke, you mentioned that you were trying to capture the market that uses buses. But to be quite honest, it’s quite a challenge getting those fares you advertise.

Well, yes and no. People need to understand how this works. When we started, there was confusion.

People thought they would automatically get the Sh2,850 fares, but we had to explain that you could only get this fare if you buy on time. If you want to travel tomorrow and you want to book today, you might not get those fares.

Kenyans are not famous for planning ahead. You will only get the low fares if you plan ahead and book in good time.

Realistically, when can one get those low fares. Three weeks before travel?

Yes, depending on demand. What we will do is introduce a tool where you will be able to see for longer periods when you can find those low fares.

We have to help travellers find those fares, and they are there because between 30-50 per cent of our seats are sold at that price. The fares only go up when these low ones are sold out.

I looked yesterday and could identify those fares, even for Sh3,850, It’s still cheap. Over time, people will get the hang of how it works.

Do you know the person who flies Jambojet?

That’s a difficult question, because it’s always a mix. But of course we have a lot of first-time passengers. You can know them when you see them; they take pictures, sometimes they look uncomfortable.

On board, we have had a few funny issues, where during the flight safety presentation, a passenger got their inflatable jacket, wore it and sat tight, as if waiting for disaster to happen. (Laughs).

Can you blame him? You never know with these planes nowadays, man!

(Laughs). Yes, but also on July 31, we will have a clip on Papa Shirandula where he will show people how to travel. Of course, if he will try checking in with a live chicken….. (Laughs). But what we are doing is trying to get closer to people who imagine that flying is only for “those people”.

What is Jambojet’s biggest challenge currently?

Well, I’d say explaining how we operate, how things work for these low fares. We see a lot of questions on social media, which basically means that we did not explain properly to the public how the low-cost airline works.

What have you learnt about the Kenyan market so far?

Well, there is a big difference and uniqueness in all the markets. Eldoret [travellers], for instance, always show up late and then buy a lot of tickets at the airport as if it’s a bus station….

By the way, you really have to tell me what’s off the record…

Oh, I’m sorry. Was that offensive? I didn’t mean it in a bad way, but if it is offensive…

No, it’s fine. It’s sort of funny.

Look, Eldoret Airport is quite a distance from the town. Now imagine if you have to travel to the airport and miss a seat! Plus, I think it’s much easier to buy your tickets way before. It’s much cheaper.

Maybe they have the money.

Yes, but even the richest man wants to save a bit and spend it on something else.

What do you do for fun when you aren’t distributing flyers downtown?

(Laughs). I play golf. I’m a 25 handicap. (Grins). I used to play once a week but I’ve gotten so busy recently. I also read books. I’m reading something by Jeffrey Archer….I can’t remember the title. I also travel a lot with my wife, we love nature.

Last week, we travelled to the Mara for my birthday. It was the second time I was visiting the place, the first time was maybe 33 years ago when I came with her, but she was still my girlfriend then and working for an airline as a stewardess.

You have known her for that long!

Yes, we grew up together, literally in the same neighbourhood. We played hockey in the same school. Then life happened, and here we are married for what, 29 years.

Which is easier, running an airline or marriage?

(Laughs hard).

Oh yes, I’m putting you in trouble.

Airline is easier. (Laughs). No, no, no. I don’t know. It’s different – if you put it that way. There is your politically-correct answer. (Laughs).

What’s in your Bucket List?

Well, I won’t be the guy to bungee jump. I fear heights. I know that’s an irony. Thing is, I never planned for my career. My philosophy is to have fun in your job and when it isn’t fun anymore, you leave and find something fun to do.

What are you struggling with in your life right now?

(Thinks). Struggling with? Hmm. Difficult questions. (Pause). I think it’s just getting this airline off the ground and making something successful out of it.

You have kids?

Yes! I have two daughters. The older one is 29, she works as a teacher in an international school in Amsterdam. My youngest always loved animals; she is a professional photographer who works as a ranger in South Africa.

Were you a good father to them?

Yes. I think so.

Why do you think so?

Because I was there for them. I was always there to help with homework. I supported them in whatever they were doing in their lives and what they wanted to do with their lives. I coached them in hockey in school. (Smiles). And I was their biggest fan and friend. They told me their secrets.

Do you always imagine how it would be like to have a son?

No. I’m okay, I love girls. So I’m cool. (Laughs).

How tall are these girls, did they take after you?

(Chuckles) The older girl is about 5 feet9 inches and the younger about 5feet 2 inches.

Have you recovered from your World Cup loss?

(Laughs) You know, I think we are perfectly happy to be number three because it would have been a great tragedy if we had made it to the finals and lost to the Germans. So being number three, in this case, is much better than losing to Germany.