Fastjet makes headway in South Africa

By Jamie Nimmo
No frills African airline fastjet  has revealed that its new South African partner has changed its name from Blockbuster to fastjet Holdings.

It follows Wednesday’s news that fastjet is to enter the South African flight market after signing a deal with investment company Blockbuster to set up a service between Johannesburg and Cape Town.
The joint venture will be 75% owned by fastjet Holdings, with the rest owned by fastjet.
The company said it is now “fully engaged” with partners and working hard to get tickets on sale within a few weeks.
A commercial deal has been struck with local operator Federal Air, which will allow fastjet to use its existing licensing infrastructure and deliver its “proven low-cost airline model to the South African public”.
The date targeted to launch the route is 31 May.
Kyle Haywood, the company’s managing director for Africa, has become chief executive of the new South African operations, heading up the launch team there.
The South African has over 25 years’ experience in global airlines, such as British Airways and Etihad Airways. He was CEO of Air Uganda before joining fastjet.
Chief executive Ed Winter said: “I am really pleased that we have Kyle overseeing this exciting project given his vast aviation experience.
“There is a strategic gap in the South African market for a pan-continental, high quality, low-cost airline and we look forward to bridging that gap and bringing fastjet to the South African public.
“This marks an exciting chapter in fastjet’s history and an important step in its growth strategy.”