# Fastjet

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Holding company

fastjet Limited Type Private company Industry Airline Headquarters Johannesburg , South Africa Area served Zimbabwe, South Africa Key people Kirsten King (CEO) Michelle da Costa (CFO) Revenue US$ 64.9 m million (2024) Operating income US$ 24.8m million (2024) Website fastjet.com

**Fastjet Limited**, known and styled as **fastjet Limited**, is an African airline brand that began flight operations in 2012 in Tanzania. It currently has two airline operations in the Group:[1] [Fastjet Zimbabwe](/source/Fastjet_Zimbabwe), flying scheduled operations from [Harare](/source/Robert_Gabriel_Mugabe_International_Airport), and [Federal Airlines](/source/Federal_Air), providing non-scheduled shuttle and charter services inside South Africa and regionally.[1] Plans have been announced to recommence [Fastjet Mozambique](/source/Fastjet_Mozambique) operations in 2026.[2] Fastjet Limited is the Group’s parent company, headquartered in [Johannesburg](/source/Johannesburg), and incorporated in England and Wales, with its registered office in [London](/source/London).[1]

## History

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### Initial proposals

In June 2012, to start operations, Rubicon Diversified Investments Plc (later renamed Fastjet Plc) completed the acquisition of Lonrho's airline division for a transaction value of US$85.7M, satisfied by the issue of Rubicon ordinary shares to Lonrho. Key shareholders in the enlarged company were Lonrho and Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, through his easyGroup Holdings Limited (“[easyGroup](/source/EasyGroup)”). The airline division acquired included the African regional airline [Fly 540](/source/Fly_540), operating in Kenya, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda, which would form the platform for the development of a low-cost carrier for Africa, branded ‘Fastjet’ under the terms of the easyGroup brand license agreement.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

The airline chose [Dar es Salaam](/source/Dar_es_Salaam), [Tanzania](/source/Tanzania) as its first operating base in Africa, with flights from [Julius Nyerere International Airport](/source/Julius_Nyerere_International_Airport) commencing on 29 November 2012. Initially flights operated successfully between [Dar es Salaam](/source/Dar_es_Salaam_Airport) and [Kilimanjaro](/source/Kilimanjaro_International_Airport), and between [Dar es Salaam](/source/Dar_es_Salaam_Airport) and [Mwanza](/source/Mwanza_Airport). Further routes were to be added quickly, both domestically and to other East African destinations.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

### Expansion of services

As well as expanding services from the base in Tanzania, in October 2015 the company obtained an [Air Operator's Certificate](/source/Air_operator's_certificate) (AOC) for Zimbabwe, and [Fastjet Zimbabwe](/source/Fastjet_Zimbabwe) was launched. The initial flights between its base at [Harare International Airport](/source/Harare_International_Airport) to [Victoria Falls](/source/Victoria_Falls_Airport) commenced on 28 October 2015, and flights to [Johannesburg](/source/Johannesburg_International_Airport) commenced from 1 February 2016 and flights to Nelspruit Kruger Mpumalanga and Maun Botswana have recently been announced from Victoria Falls commencing on 16 March 30 June 2022.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

With troubled operations and continued losses, majority shareholder [Stelios Haji-Ioannou](/source/Stelios_Haji-Ioannou) through his holding in [EasyGroup](/source/EasyGroup) successfully changed the board of Fastjet Plc with the departure of six board members in a short period of time. Ed Winters was replaced as CEO by Nico Bezuidenhout, from rival low-cost airline [Mango](/source/Mango_(airline)), on 1 August 2016.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

Bezuidenhout instigated a 'Stabilisation Plan', which included reducing unprofitable routes, switching [KJ3] [NN4] from [A319s](/source/Airbus_A319) to (smaller) [Embraer](/source/Embraer) ERJ145 aircraft and moving the airline's headquarters from [London Gatwick Airport](/source/Gatwick_Airport) to Africa - later revealed as a move to [Johannesburg](/source/Johannesburg). The aim was to achieve cashflow breakeven in the fourth quarter of 2017. There was further fundraising in September 2017, to raise not less than US$44m.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

At the time of the fundraising, it was announced in September 2017 that domestic flights would be launched in both Mozambique and South Africa, by way of brand license agreements with Solenta Aviation Mozambique and Federal Airlines respectively. Both were established airlines, but only flew small aircraft, operating air shuttle, scheduled and charter services. Fastjet Mozambique commenced operations on 3 November 2017 with flights from Maputo to Beira, Nampula and Tete.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

As of February 2018, CEO Nico Bezuidenhout continued to build on Fastjet's current routes, with the launch of a Dar es Salaam to Kigoma flight. The airline launched daily flights between Harare and Bulawayo on 20 July 2018.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

In July 2019, Fastjet announced that its CEO, Nico Bezuidenhout, would step down after three years in the role. Following the announcement, Mark Hurst, the deputy group chief executive officer, was appointed to lead the airline until a permanent replacement was named.[3]

At the end of the financial year Fastjet achieved profits for the first time in its history. However, during the height of the lockdown period the airline suspended flights across its network following the closure of borders between Zimbabwe and South Africa. Fastjet performed numerous repatriation flights during this period reuniting families and transporting essential staff between the two countries.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] In 2021 the company received fourth Embraer ERJ aircraft that was put into service on the Harare Bulawayo route.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

At the beginning of 2022 Fastjet announced the launch of flights from Victoria Falls to Maun in Botswana on a four times per week basis, effective 30 June 2022. This became the second route that the airline would have launched in 2022 after flights from Victoria Falls to Nelspruit Kruger Mpumalanga.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

In November 2023 Fastjet announced an increase of its frequency between Bulawayo and Johannesburg from daily to 12 weekly flights. It also re-introduced its morning service, with an inaugural flight from Johannesburg OR Tambo International (JNB) on an Embraer 145 aircraft.[4]

## Corporate affairs

### Ownership

Fastjet Limited is the Group's parent company, incorporated and domiciled in England and Wales.[1]

Until 24 August 2020, it was traded on the London Stock Exchange [Alternative Investment Market](/source/Alternative_Investment_Market) (AIM) (FJET:LSE).[5] fastjet Limited’s holding company is now [Solenta Aviation](/source/Solenta_Aviation) Holdings Limited, a company registered in Malta. As at 31 December 2024, Solenta Aviation Holdings Limited held 81% of the group’s equity.[1]

### Subsidiaries

Two airlines are currently operational: Fastjet Zimbabwe, domestically in Zimbabwe and internationally, and FedAir, with mainly charter and safari business in South Africa.[5] The subsidiaries are included in the Group financial statements, because although the Group holds 50% or less of the voting rights in each, it controls the management, operations and distributions through contractual agreements as well as its shareholding.[6]

Trading name Operating base Operating company Relationship Voting rights held Notes/refs Fastjet Zimbabwe Harare, Zimbabwe Fastjet Zimbabwe Ltd. Brand Licensee 49% [6][5] Federal Air Johannesburg, South Africa Federal Airlines (Pty.) Ltd. Brand Licensee ACMI Operator 25% [7][5]

#### Former subsidiaries

[Fastjet Tanzania](/source/Fastjet_Tanzania), the original Fastjet operation, was sold on 26 November 2018.[5] Operations of Fastjet Zambia (49.5%) were discontinued in 2021.[5]

Those of [Fastjet Mozambique](/source/Fastjet_Mozambique) (100%) were also discontinued in 2021,[5] although plans are in hand to relaunch flights in late 2026.[2]

### Brand ownership

The Fastjet brand was originally owned by Easygroup Holdings Ltd, and licensed to Fastjet Plc. [Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou](/source/Stelios_Haji-Ioannou) established the Fastjet brand in 2012. On 29 June 2017 Fastjet Plc entered into an agreement with Easygroup Holdings Ltd to acquire all intellectual property rights associated with the Fastjet brand for $2.5 million.[8]

### Business trends

Fastjet Limited group results are shown below (as at years ending 31 December):

2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Turnover (US$ m) 53.8 65.1 68.5 46.2 38.5 40.8 16.0 27.9 64.1 66.9 64.9 Profit after tax (US$ m) −72.1 −21.9 −48.1 −24.5 −65.0 −6.9 1.8 0.1 10.7 −8.9 2.6 Number of employees (average) 271 n/a n/a 211 263 240 195 189 239 330 344 Number of passengers (m)[a] 0.60 0.79 0.79 0.54 0.25 0.20 0.06 0.15 0.27 0.32 0.27 Passenger load factor (%)[b] 73.3 66.7 53.7 71 72 67 61 64 77 77 76 Number of aircraft (scheduled) (at year end) 3 6 4 3 3 3 3 4 Number of aircraft (shuttle/safari) (at year end) 4 6 6 Notes/sources [c][5] [5] [9] [1] [1] ^ for scheduled services only ^ for scheduled services only ^ 2020: Activities and income in fiscal 2020 were severely reduced by the impact of the coronavirus pandemic

### Head office

Fastjet's Group head office is located in Johannesburg, South Africa.[10] Prior to 2017,[11] it was based at [London Gatwick Airport](/source/London_Gatwick_Airport) in [Crawley](/source/Crawley), [West Sussex](/source/West_Sussex),[12] but was moved to South Africa to be nearer to its business activities and to reduce costs.[13]

Each locally incorporated airline has a registered/head office in its country of operation.[1]

## Fleet

### Current fleet

As of April 2023, the Fastjet fleet consists of the following aircraft:[14]

- 5 [Embraer ERJ-145](/source/Embraer_ERJ_family)

### Former fleet

Previously, Fastjet also operated the following aircraft types:[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

- [Airbus A319-100](/source/Airbus_A319-100)

- [Embraer E190](/source/Embraer_E-Jet_family)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Report2024_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Report2024_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Report2024_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Report2024_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Report2024_1-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-Report2024_1-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-Report2024_1-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-Report2024_1-7) ["Annual Report 2024"](https://www.fastjet.com/app/uploads/2025/12/fastjet-Annual-Report-and-Financial-Statements-2024.pdf) (PDF). Fastjet Limited. Retrieved 1 April 2026.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-2026_start_1_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-2026_start_1_2-1) Ella Nethersole. ["Fastjet Mozambique Set To Relaunch Operations"](https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/airlines-lessors/fastjet-mozambique-set-relaunch-operations). Aviation Week. Retrieved 31 March 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Fastjet CEO Quits as Problems Mount"](http://web.archive.org/web/20190702164441/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/fastjet-ceo-quits-problems-mount-150042088.html). Archived from [the original](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/fastjet-ceo-quits-problems-mount-150042088.html) on 2 July 2019. Retrieved 11 December 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** [https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/flight-review-fastjet-s-embraer-e145-economy-cabin/ar-AA1jgF3L](https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/flight-review-fastjet-s-embraer-e145-economy-cabin/ar-AA1jgF3L)? [*[bare URL](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Bare_URLs)*]

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Report2021_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Report2021_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Report2021_5-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Report2021_5-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Report2021_5-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-Report2021_5-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-Report2021_5-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-Report2021_5-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-Report2021_5-8) ["Annual Report 2021"](https://www.fastjet.com/app/uploads/2022/11/fastjet-Annual-Report-and-Financial-Statements-2021.pdf) (PDF). Fastjet plc. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230128222840/https://www.fastjet.com/app/uploads/2022/11/fastjet-Annual-Report-and-Financial-Statements-2021.pdf) (PDF) from the original on 28 January 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Results_2016_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Results_2016_6-1) ["Final Results for the year ended 31 December 2016"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170731203653/http://www.fastjet.com/img/stand_alone_files/file/original/fastjet-annual-report-2016-111.pdf) (PDF). Fastjet. Archived from [the original](http://www.fastjet.com/img/stand_alone_files/file/original/fastjet-annual-report-2016-111.pdf) (PDF) on 31 July 2017. Retrieved 27 August 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Fundraising2017_7-0)** ["Proposed Fundraising"](https://web.archive.org/web/20171108034856/http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/market-news/market-news-detail/FJET/13380129.html). London Stock Exchange. Archived from [the original](http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/market-news/market-news-detail/FJET/13380129.html) on 8 November 2017. Retrieved 14 October 2017. fastjet has phased out all expatriate staff, concluded the closure of its Gatwick head office and successfully migrated the Head Office from the UK to South Africa.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Trading Update"](http://www.fastjet.com/us/en/corporate/investor-news/trading-update-2/). Fastjet. 30 June 2017. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170828012128/http://www.fastjet.com/us/en/corporate/investor-news/trading-update-2/) from the original on 28 August 2017. Retrieved 27 August 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Report2023_12-0)** ["Annual Report 2023"](https://www.fastjet.com/app/uploads/2024/12/fastjet-Annual-Report-and-Financial-Statements-2023.pdf) (PDF). Fastjet Limited. Retrieved 6 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Proposed Fundraising"](http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/market-news/market-news-detail/FJET/13380129.html). London Stock Exchange. Retrieved 14 October 2017. [*[verification needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability)*]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["fastjet Plc("fastjet" or the "Company") (AIM: FJET)Interim Results for the six months to 30 June 2017"](https://www.fastjet.com/upload/Documents/fastjet%20plc%20-%20Interim%20Results%20-%2029%20Sept%202017.pdf) (PDF). Fastjet. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210213165000/https://www.fastjet.com/upload/Documents/fastjet%20plc%20-%20Interim%20Results%20-%2029%20Sept%202017.pdf) (PDF) from the original on 13 February 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2021. the successful migration of fastjet's headquarters from Gatwick to South Africa

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Investor Contacts"](https://web.archive.org/web/20141125184750/http://www.fastjet.com/us/en/corporate/investor-contacts). Fastjet. 15 November 2014. Archived from [the original](http://www.fastjet.com/us/en/corporate/investor-contacts) on 25 November 2014. Retrieved 2 February 2021. Registered Office and Head Office fastjet Plc Suite 2C First Point Buckingham Gate Gatwick Airport RH6 0NT

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Hill, Liezel (19 September 2016). ["Fastjet to move headquarters to South Africa"](https://www.news24.com/fin24/companies/travelandleisure/fastjet-to-move-headquarters-to-south-africa-20160919). [News 24](/source/News24_(website)). [Bloomberg News](/source/Bloomberg_News). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200811041629/https://www.news24.com/fin24/Companies/TravelAndLeisure/fastjet-to-move-headquarters-to-south-africa-20160919) from the original on 11 August 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** [fastjet.com - Our Company](https://www.fastjet.com/about-us/our-company/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230406114437/https://www.fastjet.com/about-us/our-company/) 6 April 2023 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) retrieved 12 April 2023

## External links

- [Official website](https://www.fastjet.com/)

[Portals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Contents/Portals):
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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Fastjet](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fastjet) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fastjet?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.