New African no-frills carrier Fastjet has started selling tickets for flights from its first base in Tanzania.
Fastjet is due to launch its first operations on November 29 from the Tanzanian capital of Dar es Salaam having taken delivery of its first three Airbus A319s.
The airline, which Easyjet founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou has helped to set up, will start by operating domestic routes to Kilimanjaro and Mwanza.
Fastjet chief executive Ed Winter called the launch a “historical moment for aviation in Tanzania and Africa”.
Winter, who appeared at a session on African aviation at World Travel Market in London last week, has vowed to operate a pan-African airline offering “European standards” of safety and punctuality.
“Air travel is no longer an exclusive option for a small minority in Tanzania,” added Winter. “Fastjet will make flying an affordable option for more Tanzanians than ever before, bringing new opportunities for trade, leisure trips, and family visits.”
Tickets are now on sale through Fastjet’s new website, fastjet.com, which went live today (November 14). The airline also intends to sell through local travel agents in Africa.
"We have had an great response to our first tickets going on sale with over 100 seats sold within the first two hours for flights departing from November 29," said Winter.
Fastjet intends to expand rapidly across Africa by setting up a second base in Nairobi, Kenya, followed by more operations in Ghana and Angola.
In June, Fastjet purchased Lonrho’s aviation business, which currently flies under the Fly540 branding, with operations in Kenya, Tanzania, Angola and Ghana.
fastjet.com