African LCC fastjet accelerates expansion with three new bases and 10 more aircraft by end-2015

Fledging African LCC group fastjet is planning to accelerate expansion over the next 18 months with several new international routes from its original base in Tanzania and the launch of three new affiliates. The expansion is risky and ambitious but is necessary as the group currently lacks the scale to be sustainable.

fastjet has not added a single aircraft in 18 months - an unusually long time for an LCC start-up. The group now plans to expand its fleet from three to 13 A319s by the end of 2015.

Further growth is expected in 2016 and 2017 to a total of 24 aircraft as planned new affiliates in Zambia, Kenya and South Africa expand. fastjet could quickly become Africa's largest LCC brand but will have to overcome multiple challenges, including potential regulatory hurdles, which have so far stalled its progress.