fastJet pluses and minuses

The good news from African low-cost carrier fastJet is that it will commence flights to Victoria Falls from Johannesburg on 25 March in response to what it says is strong passenger and tour operator demand from within the South African market. 

The bad news is trouble in the boardroom.

Services between Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport and Victoria Falls International Airport will operate using 156-seat Airbus A319 aircraft, initially twice a week on Fridays and Sundays.

The new route between Victoria Falls and Johannesburg follows closely on the success of fastjet’s route launches between Harare and Victoria Falls, and its first international route from Harare to Johannesburg which is now 12 times per week.

The airline, which is backed by easyJet founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, said results in 2016 would be "materially below market expectations" amid a "challenging" African market.  Sir Stelios, whose easyGroup company has an 11% stake is calling for CEO Ed Winter to resign immediately not waiting for a replacement. (See  BTN  18 January)   www.fastjet.com

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