Aviation in Africa is taking another shift of direction as open air policies continue to favour the expansion and growth of airlines. Appeal by various experts to ensure that conducive environments to spur growth catalysed by great relationships with countries are looked into and it seems bearing fruits. African countries are buying the idea of opening their skies to improve trade as they ease transport.
Fastjet is looking forward into penning deals to flex its wings into Mozambique and further into the South of Africa. A brand license agreement with Solenta Aviation Mozambique Ltd (SAM) and Federal Airlines Ltd (Fedair) will give the airline a cutting edge in setting its prints into the two new regions.
The African low-cost carrier as well is looking more competitive as it is on the verge of another deal that will give it access to three ATR 72-600 aircraft that will be a boost into the virgin markets it will venture into. The talks ongoing came in 2016 and now look to spark a new lifeline for the airline with rejuvenated energy. They are geared to increase the cash flow to the company as it seeks financial powerhouse.
Other than the airline being listed in the London Stock Exchange (LSE) the airline is anticipating to end “peaceful negotiations” to be listed in the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (AltX) in the next one year, to possess the dual listing opportunity, which is part of the company’s plan in the long term objective.
Nico Bezuidenhout, CEO, commented: “I have every confidence that Fastjet will continue to successfully compete in a continent expected to contain seven of the world’s ten fastest growing aviation economies over the next two decades. [Expanding] our network of destinations to cover South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, and Zambia, will not only diversify our revenue streams and cement our East and Southern African position but will also lay the foundation for Fastjet’s future growth as we seek to expand our African footprint and realize our pan-African ambitions.”
Fastjet debut its operations in East African country Tanzania on 2012. Later on it expanded to Zambia and Zimbabwe, its first international routes.
