To comply with local airline ownership rules in Kenya, 51% of the equity of Fastjet Kenya is owned by a Kenyan national. The balance of 49% is ultimately held by Fastjet plc.

To get an air service licence, airlines have to submit a business plan, including their proposed operation, aircraft specifications and commercial strategy.

Fastjet (LON:FJET) will also need an “air operating certificate” before it can start flights from Kenya

Fastjet said that it expects the Kenyan Civil Aviation Authority will review its application for an air licence in the next month or so.

Ed Winter, Fastjet chief executive officer, said the application for a Kenya air licence was an “important step” for the company’s expansion plan in Africa.

Fastjet said there have been no reported cases of the deadly Ebola virus in any of the places it flies to.