Fastjet in talks over possible Emirates partnership

FastJet Plc is the holding company for African airline Fly540, which operates from four bases in Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana and Angola. Fly540 currently has 10 aircraft serving around 25 domestic and regional destinations, carrying approximately 750,000 passengers per year with a strong emphasis on safety, security and reliability.

Recently launched Africa-focused budget airline Fastjet (LON:FJET) is in talks with Emirates over a potential partnership.

By teaming up with Emirates, the world’s largest international airline by traffic, Fastjet would provide travellers in Africa the opportunity to connect to the rest of the world, it said.

Fastjet is working to establish itself as a pan-African airline. It recently launched services on its first routes in Tanzania and yesterday it confirmed it may acquire the assets of South African 1time Airline which ceased trading last month.

“Talks are at an early stage but this represents a great opportunity for both parties,” chief executive Ed Winter said.

“Emirates currently flies to 24 destinations in Africa while Fastjet launched its operations in Tanzania last month and plans to become a pan African carrier.

“A partnership would benefit both Fastjet and Emirates with greater passenger traffic and would give travellers in Africa the opportunity to connect to the rest of the world through Emirates’ Dubai hub, with Fastjet providing passengers from African cities.”

Meanwhile Jean-Luc Grillet, Emirates senior vice president of commercial operations in Africa, has said: “We are willing to work with Fastjet. It is an independent carrier and that makes our work easy.”

On AIM, Fastjet shares initially advanced 5% in early deals.