Six state-of-the-art Boeing 737-800s will be flying in South African skies by the end of 2015, thanks to a R2, 5-billion investment made by Kulula.com operator Comair.

The low-cost airline is expecting their fifth new aircraft to arrive from Seattle on Sunday, 10 August, with another joining the fleet in early October. The new planes are said to be cheaper to operate and kinder to the environment.

“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,” says Erik Venter, CEO of Comair Limited.

Split Scimitar Winglets (SSW) have also been fitted to all new planes operated by the company. They are designed to reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions and are claimed to save around R1.3 million per aircraft, per year.

The planes boast larger pivoting overhead stowage bins, giving more passenger room to store carry-on luggage near their own seat.

Pilots have been trained extensively on the new aircraft using Comair’s Boeing 737-800 flight training simulator, bought in 2011 at a cost of R80 million.

By end 2015 Kulula.com will operate ten aircraft in total.