FastJet to launch in Oct-2012 with A319s
FastJet announced (03-Jul-2012) it will operate A319 aircraft when the African LCC launches operations in Oct-2012. The carrier plans to add at least five A319s to its fleet by Apr-2013 and up to 15 by Oct-2013. The first aircraft, due for delivery in Sep/Oct-2012, will be leased from Nomura Babcock Brown. Negotiations for future aircraft deliveries are underway. FastJet CEO Ed Winter stated, "the decision to launch FastJet with the Airbus A319 enables us to expand rapidly with each aircraft potentially carrying around 250,000 passengers a year." The carrier expects passenger numbers to double within six months of launch and is lobbying a number of African governments for incentives and reduced passenger taxes, factors that will affect their final decision on where to deploy the A319s. [more - original PR]