Fastjet suspends Fly540 operations in Angola

By PHILIP  MWAKIO

Fastjet, Africa’s budget carrier with its operating hub in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania has confirmed it has temporarily suspended operations in Angola as part of a major restructuring programme.

The programmme is aimed at turning around its loss making Fly540 businesses in Angola and Ghana, according to a report in Air Transport World, an authoritative online edition.

Currently, the Ghana and Angola businesses operate on a legacy airline model. Fastjet believes that — although both countries present significant long-term opportunities for its low-cost model — the optimum short-term potential is exploiting growth opportunities in East and Southern Africa.

Being sold

As part of the restructuring, two group-owned ATR aircraft, previously operating in Ghana and Angola, have been taken out of service and are in the process of being sold.

A leased aircraft continues to operate in Ghana, and the Angolan operation will resume when two further leased aircraft return to service upon completion of required maintenance.

Fastjet said it would release further details on the restructuring of both Fly540 operations in due course. Fastjet interim chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ed Winter said management has been carefully considering how best to restructure the Fly540 business.

Mr Winter said they are currently focused on expanding the low-cost Fastjet network in East and Southern Africa by establishing bases in Zambia, Kenya and South Africa — and these plans are progressing well.

“However, our overall vision is to create a pan-African low-cost network and, as such, launching the low-cost Fastjet model in both Angola and Ghana remains firmly part of the company’s long-term plans,’’ he said.