African budget carrier Fastjet launches operations

FastJet Airbus A319. Courtesy, FastJet

FastJet, the African budget airline backed by EasyJet (U2) founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou, has flown its first flight from its Tanzania base.
The inaugural flight, which was operated by an Airbus A319, took off on Nov. 29 from Dar es Salaam’s Julius Nyerere Airport bound for the domestic destination of Mwanza.
“The maiden flight marks the official start of Fastjet’s commercial operations in Africa; fully on schedule,” said the airline in a statement.
On the same day, Fastjet’s second A319 operated the first service between DAR and Kilimanjaro, also in Tanzania. Its third A319 is slated to arrive during the week commencing Dec. 3.
Fastjet said ticket sales for its two initial routes are “very strong,” adding that its current bookings extend to February 2013.