Jo-Burg by fastjet

Ambitious London AIM listed fastjet (FN see BTN 29 April http://www.btnews.co.uk/article/6220), has been granted permission to launch international flights from Tanzania to South Africa, Zambia and Rwanda marking a major step towards establishing the first-ever pan-African low-cost network.

Commenting on the news, Ed Winter, CEO and Chairman of fastjet, said: “This is a monumental day in fastjet’s history and brings us closer to our goal of becoming Africa’s first pan continental low-cost airline.  To date our growth has been inhibited by lack of international routes in our network.  We have expended huge effort over the past six months in obtaining these rights and we can only thank the Government and population of Tanzania who have lobbied hard to allow us to gain access to the bilateral rights to operate to these countries.  We will soon announce launch dates for flights to Johannesburg, Kigali and Lusaka from Dar es Salaam”.

These route approvals have been granted by the relevant governments under the Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASAs) between Tanzania and the other countries.  The carrier will challenge lucrative services by South African Airlines.

Mr Winter was a recent speaker at the Aviation Club of the United Kingdom.  The senior management and operational headquarters of the airline is at London’s Gatwick Airport. www.fastjet.com

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