New African no-frills airline Fastjet is in talks to buy collapsed South African carrier 1time and is also discussing a potential partnership with Emirates.
Fastjet said it was in negotiations with the liquidators of 1time, which ceased trading in November, to buy the airline for a “nominal fee” and confirmed it was in talks with Emirates about a partnership, although these discussions were at an "early stage".
These moves would help Fastjet, which only launched its first services in Tanzania last week, with its ambitions to become the first pan-African no-frills airline.
Fastjet CEO Ed Winter said that the timescale for any deal to purchase 1time was "extremely challenging".
"We would hope to get 1time flying again in time for the Christmas holiday period, when many customers have had their plans dashed by the cessation of 1time services and the subsequent huge increases in fares by competitors,” he added.
Winter added that 1time would be a “complementary strategic fit for Fastjet's growth” which could “potentially increase the number of available route networks from South Africa into the rest of Africa”.
If the deal goes ahead, 1time would be rebranded as Fastjet and sold through its website, fastjet.com.
Winter added that a potential deal with Emirates "represents a great opportunity for both parties".
"Emirates currently flies to 24 destinations in Africa while Fastjet launched its operations in Tanzania last month and plans to become a pan-African carrier," said Winter.
"A partnership would benefit both fastjet and Emirates with greater passenger traffic and would give travellers in Africa the opportunity to connect to the rest of the world through Emirates' Dubai hub with fastjet providing passengers from African cities."
Fastjet has started two domestic routes in Tanzania and plans to add a second base in Nairobi, Kenya, before extending its network to Accra in Ghana and Luanda, Angola.