# Fly540

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Kenyan airline

Fly540 IATA ICAO Call sign 5H FFV SWIFT TANGO Founded 2006 Hubs Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Fleet size 2 Destinations 10 Headquarters Nairobi, Kenya Key people Don Smith (CEO) Website fly540.com

**Five Forty Aviation Ltd**, trading as **Fly540**, is a [low-cost airline](/source/Low-cost_carrier) based in [Nairobi](/source/Nairobi), [Kenya](/source/Kenya).[1] It commenced operations in 2006 with both passenger and cargo services.[2] The airline had two subsidiary airlines, **[Fly540 Ghana](/source/Royal_Fly-GH)** (suspended in May 2014 and since sold) and **[Fly540 Angola](/source/Fly540_Angola)** (suspended in May 2014), but has since focused its business expansion plans in East Africa.[3] The company slogan is *Your Local Airline.*

## History

### Initial domestic services

Fly540 started operations between [Nairobi](/source/Jomo_Kenyatta_International_Airport) and [Mombasa](/source/Moi_International_Airport) on November 24, 2006.[4] The airline's name refers to its price of KSh5,540 per adult return fare between the above-mentioned cities.[5]

[Lonrho Africa](/source/Lonrho) was a major investor in the company, paying [US $](/source/United_States_dollar)1.5 million for a 49% stake.[6]

Passenger numbers rose by 93% to 171,160 in the year ending 30 September 2008, compared to 88,571 in 2007. At the same time, the [load factor](/source/Load_factor_(aeronautics)) amounted to 63%, down from 65.8% in 2007.[7]

### Pan-African ambitions

A Fly540 [ATR 42](/source/ATR_42) at [Entebbe International Airport](/source/Entebbe_International_Airport)

The original scheduled flights included freight and passenger services between Nairobi and Mombasa, while [Kisumu](/source/Kisumu) became a destination in January 2007.[5] Daily flights on the Nairobi-[Malindi](/source/Malindi)-[Lamu](/source/Lamu) route were added to Fly540's domestic services in February 2007.[8]

International operations commenced in October 2007 with flights to [Juba](/source/Juba%2C_Sudan) in [South Sudan](/source/South_Sudan) and [Goma](/source/Goma) in the [Democratic Republic of the Congo](/source/Democratic_Republic_of_the_Congo);[9] service to [Entebbe](/source/Entebbe) in [Uganda](/source/Uganda) began in February 2008. Additionally, Fly540 Tanzania launched direct flights[10] between [Dar es Salaam](/source/Dar_es_Salaam) and [Mwanza](/source/Mwanza), on the western shores of Lake Victoria.

Initially the company operated 11 flights a week and it was hoped that in time its Fokker 28 aircraft, which carried 28 people, would be upgraded to a 50-seat [CRJ100](/source/Bombardier_CRJ100%2F200).

### Investment by Fastjet

In June 2012, Fly540 was sold for $85.7 million (Sh7.3 billion) to British investment firm Rubicon Diversified Investments (now Fastjet Plc [11]), who purchased the airline from Lonrho group. Rubicon said it had chosen to acquire Fly540 as its platform for the launch of a budget airline in Africa, to be modelled on [EasyJet](/source/EasyJet), Europe's second largest low-cost carrier.[12]

The first flights were transferred to the new airline, [Fastjet](/source/Fastjet), on 29 November 2012.[13] These were two domestic routes in Tanzania; it had been expected that all Fly540 flights would quickly be transferred to Fastjet, in turn, as the various arrangements and permissions required for each route were agreed upon.

Following the acquisition of Lonrho's 49% interest in Five Forty Aviation Kenya Ltd, and a further 49.98% economic interest in the company approved at a Fastjet General meeting on 29 June 2012, it became apparent that the vendor did not consider the additional acquisition had completed. The dispute led to legal claims by both parties over the ownership and other matters.[14] A Memorandum of Understanding was reached on 23 April 2013 where both parties agreed to stop legal proceedings against each other because Fastjet did not believe they had control or significant influence. As of 1 July 2014, a settlement was agreed between Fastjet and Don Smith [CEO] in which Fastjet transferred all shares in Five Forty Aviation Kenya LTD to Don Smith and Fastjet relinquished any further interest in Five Forty Aviation Ltd. The Five Forty brand name is now for sole use of Five Forty Aviation Kenya Ltd.

### Suspension

Fly540's operations in Kenya were suspended in November 2022 by the country's [Competition Authority](/source/Competition_Authority_of_Kenya) following complaints over false advertising, short notice before cancellation of flights, and delayed refunds.[15] The carrier was ordered to refund a batch of tickets sold after the date on which its Air Operators Certificate expired as well as any ticket before that date "where flights were cancelled arbitrarily."[16]

In 2025, a Kenyan court ordered the sale of aircraft leased to Fly540.[17]

## Corporate affairs

Since the acquisition of Lonrho (BVI) Ltd's interest on 29 June 2012, Five Forty Aviation Ltd is now 100% privately owned.[18]

## Destinations

A Fly540 [Canadair Regional Jet CRJ-100ER](/source/Bombardier_CRJ200) pictured at [Jomo Kenyatta International Airport](/source/Jomo_Kenyatta_International_Airport), [Nairobi](/source/Nairobi), in 2012

Fly540 [de Havilland Canada DHC-8-100](/source/Bombardier_Dash_8)

Fly540 ATR 72, stored at [Toulouse airport](/source/Toulouse_Blagnac_International_Airport)

As of February 2016, Fly540 flies to the following destinations.

Country City Airport Notes Kenya Eldoret Eldoret International Airport Kenya Kisumu Kisumu International Airport Kenya Lamu Manda Airport Kenya Lodwar Lodwar Airport Kenya Malindi Malindi Airport Kenya Mombasa Moi International Airport Kenya Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport [Hub] South Sudan Juba Juba International Airport Tanzania Zanzibar Abeid Amani Karume International Airport

## Fleet

### Current fleet

As of August 2025[\[update\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fly540&action=edit), Fly540 operates the following aircraft:[19]

Fly540 fleet Aircraft In service Orders Passengers Notes Bombardier Dash 8-Q200 1 — Bombardier Dash 8-Q300 1 — Total 2 0

### Fleet development

In January 2008, the company signed a US$150 million contract for eight [ATR 72-500s](/source/ATR_72) to be delivered in 2008 and 2009.[20] These orders have since been cancelled [21] In April 2014, Fastjet announced that two ATRs and both DC-9 aircraft were to be withdrawn from service: the ATRs are to be sold, and the DC-9s are to be returned to their lessors.

### Former fleet

The airline previously operated the following aircraft:

- 2 [Bombardier CRJ100ER](/source/Bombardier_CRJ200#CRJ100) (as of August 2017):[22]

- 2 [Bombardier CRJ200LR](/source/Bombardier_CRJ200#CRJ200) (as of August 2019):[23]

- 1 [Bombardier Dash 8-100](/source/Bombardier_Dash_8)[23]

## Accidents

- On 13 August 2008, a [Fokker F27 Friendship](/source/Fokker_F27_Friendship), [registered](/source/Aircraft_registration) as 5Y-BVF, flying from [Nairobi Airport](/source/Jomo_Kenyatta_International_Airport) to [K50 Airport](/source/K50_Airstrip), [Somalia](/source/Somalia), crashed into a [Radio masts/tower](/source/Radio_masts_and_towers). All three occupants died.[24]

- On 27 January 2011, a Fokker F27 FriendshipCRF, registered as 5X-FFD, [overran](/source/Runway_excursion) the runway at [Wilson Airport](/source/Wilson_Airport), Kenya. This was the second attempt for take-off after the first one resulted in aborting the takeoff. All four occupants survived.[25]

- On 28 February 2020, a de Havilland Dash 8-300 operating for Fly540 experienced an engine failure while departing from [Lokichar](/source/Lokichar). The aircraft was operating as a charter flight to [Nairobi's Wilson Airport](/source/Wilson_Airport) with 49 oil workers and 5 crew members onboard. The aircraft returned to Lokichar, where it overran the runway.[26]

## See also

- [List of airlines of Kenya](/source/List_of_airlines_of_Kenya)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** "[Kenya Contact Information](http://www.fly540.com/fly540.html)." ([direct file link](http://www.fly540.com/fly540.swf) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110711013126/http://www.fly540.com/fly540.swf) 2011-07-11 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)) Fly540. Retrieved on 14 January 2011. "Riverside Green Suites Five Forty Africa Head Office Palm Suite, Riverside Drive P.O. Box 10293-00100 Nairobi, Kenya."

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FI_2-0)** "Directory: World Airlines". *[Flight International](/source/Flight_International)*. 2007-04-03. p. 83.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["fastjet 2015 outlook: fleet expands and new affiliates launch but profitability remains challenging"](http://centreforaviation.com/analysis/fastjet-2015-outlook-fleet-expands-and-new-affiliates-launch-but-profitability-remains-challenging-203064). *CAPA - Centre for Aviation*. Retrieved 2017-07-13.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** *[Airliner World](/source/Airliner_World)* January 2007

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-kite_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-kite_5-1) *[The Standard](/source/The_Standard_(Kenya))*, January 18, 2007: [*The new kite in the skies*](https://web.archive.org/web/20071007114638/http://eastandard.net/mag/mag.php?id=1143963784&catid=321)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["LCC start-up Fastjet targets under-served markets in West Africa, starting with Ghana"](https://centreforaviation.com/analysis/reports/lcc-start-up-fastjet-targets-under-served-markets-in-west-africa-starting-with-ghana-69005). *CAPA - Centre for Aviation*. Retrieved 2020-05-15.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Lonrho PLC, March 30, 2009: [Annual Report 2008](http://www.lonrho.com/Investors/Financial_Reports/Annual_Report_2008/File.aspx?id=858) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20090604042029/http://www.lonrho.com/Investors/Financial_Reports/Annual_Report_2008/File.aspx?id=858) 2009-06-04 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Fly540 - East Africa's low cost airline"](http://www.fly540.com/beta2/news.php). *www.fly540.com*. Retrieved 2017-07-13.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** *The Standard*, September 26, 2007: [Fly540 eyes Sudan and DRC](https://web.archive.org/web/20110928154737/http://eastandard.net/news/?id=1143975064)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["New flights from Dar es Salaam to Mwanza | Wanted WorldWide"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110724130557/http://www.wantedworldwide.net/news/7176/new_flights_from_dar_es_salaam_to_mwanza.html). Archived from [the original](http://www.wantedworldwide.net/news/7176/new_flights_from_dar_es_salaam_to_mwanza.html) on 2011-07-24. Retrieved 2011-01-26.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** *4-traders.com*, August 7, 2012: [Rubicon Diversified Investments PLC : Result of EGM & Change of Name to FastJet](http://www.4-traders.com/RUBICON-DIVERSIFIED-INVES-4006346/news/Rubicon-Diversified-Investments-PLC-Result-of-EGM-Change-of-Name-to-FastJet-14450259/)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Rubicon_12-0)** *[The Star, Nairobi](/source/The_Star_(Kenya))*, July 9, 2012: [*Kenya: Fastjet to Phase Out Fly540 By October*](http://allafrica.com/stories/201207091965.html)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Fastjet_13-0)** Centre for Aviation, November 30, 2012: [*FastJet takes to the air, promising a modern pan-African network*](http://centreforaviation.com/analysis/fastjet-takes-to-the-air-promising-a-modern-pan-african-network-90068)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Annual Report 2012"](http://www.fastjet.com/tz/file-resources/fastjet-plc-annual-report-2012). Fastjet Plc. Retrieved 29 August 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Kivuva, Elizabeth (16 November 2022). ["Competitions authority suspends Fly540 over increased travellers' complaints"](https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/bd/corporate/shipping-logistics/competitions-authority-suspends-fly540-over-complaints-4022028). *Business Daily*. Retrieved 25 November 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Odhiambo, Victor Shalton (2022-11-17). ["Fly540 Issued with a Cease & Desist Order for Providing inaccurate information to passengers, expired AOC"](https://airspace-africa.com/2022/11/17/fly540-issued-with-a-cease-desist-order-for-providing-inaccurate-information-to-passengers-expired-aoc/). *Airspace Africa*. Retrieved 2025-06-29.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Kenyan court orders sale of Avmax aircraft leased to Fly540"](https://www.ch-aviation.com/news/149759-kenyan-court-orders-sale-of-avmax-aircraft-leased-to-fly540). *ch-aviation*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250401131149/https://www.ch-aviation.com/news/149759-kenyan-court-orders-sale-of-avmax-aircraft-leased-to-fly540) from the original on 2025-04-01. Retrieved 2025-06-29.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Five Forty Aviation Response to FastJet Statement"](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20130207006292/en/Forty-Aviation-Response-FastJet-Statement). *www.businesswire.com*. 2013-02-07. Retrieved 2020-05-28.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** "Global Airline Guide 2025 - Fly540". *Airliner World*. September 2025. p. 64.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** EADS, January 11, 2008: [Lonrho to acquire eight ATR 72-500s for airline Fly540](http://eads.com/800/en/investor/News_and_Events/news_ir/2008/20080111_atr_lonrho.html)[*[permanent dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Fleet - Fly540 | Fly540"](https://www.fly540.com/fleet). *www.fly540.com*. Retrieved 2020-05-16.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** "Global Airline Guide 2017 (Part One)". *Airliner World* (October 2017): 19.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-GAG_23-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-GAG_23-1) "Global Airline Guide 2017 (Part One)". *Airliner World* (October 2017): 19.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** ["Accident Fokker F-27 Friendship 500 5Y-BVF, Wednesday 13 August 2008"](https://asn.flightsafety.org/asndb/321660). *asn.flightsafety.org*. Retrieved 2024-08-20.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** ["Accident Fokker F-27 Friendship 500CRF 5X-FFD, Thursday 27 January 2011"](https://asn.flightsafety.org/asndb/321178). *asn.flightsafety.org*. Retrieved 2024-08-20.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** Hradecky, Simon. ["Incident: Fly540 DH8C at Lokichar on Feb 28th 2020, engine failure, runway excursion on landing"](https://avherald.com/h?article=4d3e43ce). *avherald.com*. Retrieved 2025-06-29.

## External links

Media related to [Fly540](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Fly540) at Wikimedia Commons

- [Official website](http://www.fly540.com/)

[Portals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Contents/Portals):
- [Kenya](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Kenya)
- [Aviation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Aviation)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Fly540](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fly540) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fly540?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.