African no-frills airline Fastjet has signed a preliminary deal to create a new operation in Nigeria and also secured permission to fly its first intenational routes.
Fastjet, which is currently running domestic flights in Tanzania, has agreed a memorandum of understanding with Red 1 Airways to create Fastjet Nigeria offering flights within Nigeria and across Africa.
Fastjet has also secured permission to fly on international routes from Tanzania to South Africa, Zambia and Rwanda – it plans to operate from Dar es Salaam to Johannesburg, Lusaka and Kigali but no launch dates have been announced.
Under the Nigerian deal, Red 1 will be responsible for securing the funding to run the airline with Fastjet having a minority shareholding in Fastjet Nigeria. Red 1 will also manage the day-to-day running of the new carrier.
Fastjet CEO Ed Winter said: “The combination of Fastjet's brand and experience and Red 1’s extensive knowledge of the local aviation market and Nigerian business landscape, is a perfect foundation for a great airline.
“The Nigerian people deserve a new airline offering great value and operating to international standards of safety and reliability.”
The deal is a boost to Fastjet which saw chairman David Lenigas step down on Monday while its auditor has also questioned the company’s ability to continue trading as a going concern.
Red 1’s CEO Dikko Nwachukwu added: “We are excited to partner with Fastjet and humbled to be working on bringing Nigeria its first true low cost carrier.
“Our experienced management team has spent 10 years fine-tuning the business plan and waiting for the right opportunity to meet the increasing demand for affordable air travel in Nigeria.”
No details have been given about potential launch dates for Fastjet Nigeria and Fastjet said more details would be given when binding contracts have been signed.
Fastjet is due to start its new operation in South Africa next month with flights between Johannesburg and Cape Town.
fastjet.com