Fastjet set to launch first ever-international flights

London. Africa-focused budget airline Fastjet has won the right to fly its first-ever international routes across the continent.

The company, which is backed by easyJet founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou, has been given government permission to begin flying from Tanzania to South Africa, Zambia and Rwanda.

This comes on the heels of an agreement with Nigeria’s Red 1 Airways to create a low-cost airline operating between Nigeria and the rest of the continent.

Hitherto the company has only operated within Tanzania and had recently been given permission to add several domestic South African services. Ed Winter, chief executive officer and chairman, 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.”

The new route approvals have been granted by the relevant governments under the Bilateral Air Services Agreements between Tanzania and the other countries.

Fastjet was especially pleased to be launching flights between Dar es Salaam and Johannesburg and expected this to be a particularly popular route.

“South African Airways has had a monopoly on this route for far too long and we are very keen to offer substantially more affordable fares to customers and further stimulate the potential traffic between these key African cities,” said Winter.

“This can only have a very positive effect on the critical trade, commercial and tourism industries between South Africa and Tanzania.” (Agencies)