With ambitious plans to create Africa’s first pan-continental airline, fastjet will bring
international standards of safety, quality, security and reliability.

Low-cost is quite simply the avoidance of costly frills, offering customers the lowest possible
fares in addition to pay-as-you travel extras. This affords passengers the flexibility to pay for
additional services such as a bag or refreshment rather than having to pay for it regardless
whether you want it or not.

Importantly fastjet low-cost definitely does not mean low quality. Despite the many challenges
that exist outside our control we will be open, honest, transparent and communicative to
ensure that your travel arrangements remain with the least amount of interruption.

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Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, the founder of EasyJet, is set to launch a low-cost airline in Africa this year after taking a 5% stake in a new venture FASTJET PLC.

The easyGroup tycoon, who is embroiled in a long-running boardroom battle with easyJet, is backing a carrier that will operate under his Fastjet airline and be run by former easyJet executives.

Fastjet will operate from Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana and Angola. The ambition is to carry more than 12 million passengers a year, from the 500,000 at present, by cashing in on demand for regional travel from a burgeoning African middle-class.

Haji-Ioannou said the move would help bring low-cost air travel to more Africans. "This is another small but significant step in bringing the dream of low-cost air travel to millions of people in Africa – the aviation industry's last frontier. Past experience shows that by halving fares, a successful low-cost carrier can encourage those people, who have never previously travelled by air, to fly."

Have a look at the link in post 370 - the word aircraft appears 85 times!

It's all about the potential future - hence the gamble.

But here is a clue :-

Outlook
· Significant growth in fastjet year-on-year passenger numbers expected to continue, with the level of passenger numbers achieved reinforcing fastjet's stronghold in the Tanzanian market, and the attractiveness of both the low-cost fare structure and operational reputation.
· Growth for 2015 expected to come both from the Tanzanian operation and from the addition of new fastjet airlines in Zambia and Zimbabwe.
· Current fleet is now nearly fully utilised - extra capacity is required with a fourth aircraft due to join the fleet in Q3. The aircraft in question will be the first of a number of aircraft that fastjet is planning to add to the fleet this year, with each additional aircraft able to make up to 1,000 more seats per day available to customers. Based upon the 75% load factors currently projected, each aircraft in the fleet is expected to carry approximately 275,000 passengers per annum.
· Negotiations on further aircraft underway with target to build a fleet of up to 34 aircraft operating to 40 destinations within and from Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Kenya and Uganda by the end of 2018.

Thank you Skinny.
I think the reputation is the most important asset for them. Increasing load factor over last year has been positive. so, let's hope the share price perform better in the future.

fastjet launches new route to Malawi

30 June 2015

fastjet, Africa's low-cost airline, is pleased to announce it has been granted a Foreign Operators Permit from the Malawian authorities to commence flights between Dar es Salaam in Tanzania and Lilongwe, capital of Malawi. The new route will be put on sale from today and operations commence in July.

Initially operating twice weekly on Mondays and Fridays, fastjet is confident that, in line with its other routes, it will grow in frequency quickly.

fastjet's lowest fare will be $50 plus government taxes.

The new route is fastjet's sixth international destination in Africa.

fastjet Passenger Statistics for June 2015

Number of passengers carried up 23% year-on-year

fastjet operations in Tanzania carried a total of 65,216 passengers in June 2015, with a load factor of 69%. Compared with the same month of 2014, the number of passengers carried increased by 23%.

Punctuality for June remained excellent, with 95% of flights arriving on time Note 3.


more....

StockMarketWire.com
fastjet (AIM:FJET), Africa's low-cost airline, has noted the recent fall in its share price. It is down over 5% today.

The company says it knows of no material trading reason for the movement and confirms it is trading in line with market expectations.

fastjet Passenger Statistics for July 2015

Highest passenger numbers to date in July
fastjet operations in Tanzania have reported its highest number of passengers in July 2015, carrying a total of 71,763 passengers in the month, surpassing the previous record, achieved in April 2015, by over 3,600 passengers and a 36% increase on the same month in the prior year. The load factor for July was 72%.

The increase in passengers has been achieved in part by the commencement of flights to Malawi and additional flights to Mwanza. This has resulted in an aircraft utilisation figure in excess of 12 hours per day at the end of July.

Punctuality for July remained excellent, with 95% of flights arriving on time Note 3.

more....

astjet Fleet Expansion


fastjet (AIM:FJET), Africa's low-cost airline has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) for the purchase of an Airbus A319 aircraft (the Aircraft). The Aircraft is expected to be ready for operations by the end of September 2015 and is planned as the first aircraft for the fastjet Zambia fleet.

Ed Winter, fastjet Chief Executive Officer commented: "Following our recent announcement of the fourth and fifth aircraft joining our fleet, the addition of this owned Aircraft by the end of September will see the fleet double in size to six once each of these aircraft are operational.

"Each additional aircraft is able to make up to 1,000 more seats per day available to fastjet's customers. Based on the 75% load factors currently being projected by fastjet, each aircraft in the fleet is projected to carry approximately 275,000 passengers per annum.

"Our successful fundraising in April 2015 was, in part, to fund the acquisition of aircraft. We conducted an extensive review of available aircraft and I am delighted to announce this milestone event."

fastjet Fleet Expansion - Lease Signed for 5th Aircraft


fastjet (AIM:FJET), Africa's low-cost airline, has signed an operating lease with SMBC Aviation Capital Limited (SMBC) for an Airbus A319 aircraft. This aircraft was originally announced on 10 July 2015 when the LOI was signed and will become the fifth aircraft in the fastjet fleet.

The aircraft will commence commercial services in Tanzania on 1 September, serving to expand the network in the region. This will include increasing the Dar es Salaam to Johannesburg route to a daily service.

Ed Winter, Chief Executive Officer of fastjet, commented: "Having reached our target figure for utilisation of our existing Tanzanian fleet, we are delighted to introduce an additional aircraft into Tanzania to satisfy the growing demand for our low-cost flights."

On 26 August 2015, fastjet announced it had signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) for the purchase of an Airbus A319 aircraft, planned for operation in Zambia. This aircraft will be the sixth aircraft in the fastjet fleet.

fastjet Passenger Statistics for August 2015

Record passenger numbers in August

fastjet operations in Tanzania have reported a record number of passengers in August 2015, carrying a total of 76,741 passengers during the month. The load factor for August was 75%.

The increase in passengers is in part due to the new routes to Malawi introduced in July 2015 and to increased frequency on some existing routes.

Punctuality for August remained strong, with 88% of flights arriving on time Note 3. This was lower than last month, mainly due to unexpected airfield closures in Dar es Salaam for military training.

Ed Winter, Chief Executive Officer of fastjet, said: "We are delighted to report record monthly passenger numbers for the second consecutive month, further affirming the growing appetite for low-cost aviation across southern and eastern Africa. August is traditionally a strong month but with a capacity increase of 23% versus August 2014, we are delighted to maintain such strong demand."

Appointment of Nomad and Joint Broker

Interim results for the 6 months to 30 June 2015

Operational highlights
H1 2015

· fastjet Tanzania
o 51% increase in aircraft utilisation (from 6.4 to 9.7 block hours per aircraft per day)
o 56% increase in total capacity (seats flown)
o 94% punctuality - (arrival earlier than or within 15 minutes of schedule)

· Legacy businesses
o Disposal of 100% of fastjet's holding in Fly 540 Ghana
o Loss-making services of Fly 540 Angola remain suspended
Q3 2015
· Routes
o New international route added from Dar es Salaam to Malawi
o Flight frequencies increased on many existing routes

· Aircraft
o Fourth fastjet Tanzania aircraft entered into service in September 2015
o First fastjet Zimbabwe aircraft, the fifth aircraft in the fastjet group fleet, arrived in Harare on 18 September 2015
o As announced today, first owned aircraft was delivered on 25 September 2015. The sixth in the fastjet group fleet and expected to be the first in the fastjet Zambia fleet

Financial highlights
H1 2015

· fastjet Tanzania
o First half revenues US$31.5 million (H1 2014 US$19.0 million)
o 7% increase in average revenue per passenger to US$86.61 (H1 2014 US$81.69)
o 56% increase in passengers carried to 363,769 (H1 2014 232,855)
o First half losses before tax of US$9.0 million (H1 2014 US$13.9m)

· fastjet Group

o Operating loss before exceptionals US$12.8 million (H1 2014 US$17.3 million)
o Operating loss after exceptionals US$12.8 million (H1 2014 US$19.8 million)
o Closing net cash US$70.0 million (H1 2014 US$17.9 million)
o US$75 million equity fund raise (before costs), significantly broadening the institutional shareholder base
o Share capital reorganisation - consolidation of ordinary shares on the basis of one new share of £1 each for every 100 shares of 1p each


Ed Winter, fastjet Chief Executive Officer, commented:

"Using the same assets as in H1 2014, three Airbus A319s, in H1 2015, through better utilisation we increased the number of seats flown by 56 per cent, total revenue increased by 66 per cent and operating losses reduced by 26%; a great achievement.

"Since then, in Q3 2015, we have doubled the size of the fleet to six and are well on our way to having three bases, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe fully operational by the end of the year. This expansion of the fleet and network is particularly important in laying the foundations for profitable growth in 2016

"Whilst we have seen these very significant improvements, African currencies have lost considerable value against the US dollar, which combined with a worldwide reduction in commodity prices, has caused an economic downturn in both Tanzania and Zambia. In addition, the start of operations in Zambia and Zimbabwe has been delayed into Q4. Accordingly the Board has downgraded its forecast for full year 2015 but is confident of meeting its expectations for 2016. "

Fastjet Fleet Expansion

fastjet Passenger Statistics for September 2015

fastjet operations in Tanzania carried a total of 76,595 passengers in September 2015 and achieved a load factor of 64%. Compared with the same month last year, the number of passengers carried has increased by 33%.

Month on month, capacity on the fastjet route network rose by 15%. The Company's fourth aircraft joined the fastjet Tanzania fleet on 1 September allowing for the introduction of daily flights between Dar es Salaam and Johannesburg. On 14 September, the frequency of flights on other routes increased with 5 daily flights to Mwanza and 4 daily flights to Kilimanjaro now offered from Dar es Salaam as well as daily flights from Kilimanjaro to Mwanza, Lusaka and Harare.

Punctuality for the month remained excellent, with 93% of flights arriving on time Note 3.

Ed Winter, fastjet Chief Executive Officer, said: "As outlined in our interim results statement on 28 September, difficult trading conditions in Tanzania have placed pressure on revenues and load factors. In light of this, and a significant increase in capacity, we are pleased to have achieved a load factor of 64%.

"I am also delighted to report that we are in the final stages of the Air Operator Certificate application process in Zimbabwe, with the demonstration flight having been completed on 30 September."

Change of Directorate

Skinny,
Any idea why it has fallen today?

Not really - a bit more here.

Assuming Avgas falls in line with the Brent crude price, it's a bit worrying that FJET aren't benefiting. I can't imagine they are big enough to hedge their fuel costs, so when crude goes up, margins are going to be squeezed even more, imo. I am not a holder.

StockMarketWire.com
fastjet, Africa's low-cost airline, has signed a sales and distribution contract with Emirates, the world's largest airline by international traffic.

The agreement that allows Emirates' passengers access to fastjet's growing route network across East and Southern Africa. Emirates passengers will be able to book fastjet tickets on all of Emirates' sales channels using a bespoke link between Emirates and fastjets reservations system. Emirates currently flies to over 140 destinations across the world, including 20 in Africa, while fastjet is rapidly becoming the leading pan African low-cost carrier. fastjet says the partnership will benefit both airlines with greater passenger traffic and will give travellers in Africa the opportunity to connect to the rest of the world through Emirates' Dubai hub with fastjet providing passengers from African towns and cities. fastjet chief commercial officer Richard Bodin said: "We are absolutely delighted to be working with such a highly regarded and successful airline. Not only will it allow us access to the millions of passengers that Emirates carries, it is also a significant validation of our operation, service and proven low-cost model. We look forward to greeting Emirates passengers on board our aircraft."

fastjet granted Air Service Licence in Kenya

fastjet (AIM:FJET), Africa's low-cost airline, is pleased to announce that fastjet Kenya Ltd has been granted an Air Service Licence (ASL) by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA). The granting of the ASL clears the way for fastjet Kenya to commence the application process for an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) which, once received, will allow the airline to operate domestic flights within Kenya.

The AOC application process will involve an in depth review of fastjet Kenya's planned safety management system, operational manuals and structures, its senior staff, fleet, maintenance facilities and technical capability. An early stage of the process includes agreeing a timetable for the application process with the KCAA.

Commenting on this significant development, fastjet Chief Executive Officer Ed Winter said: "The granting of the Kenya ASL is a major step forward in fastjet's plans to become a truly pan-African low-cost airline. Following recently announced progress towards the Zambia AOC and the receipt of our AOC in Zimbabwe last week, today's announcement signals a very substantial acceleration in the development of the fastjet network and our future growth plans.

"We are very pleased that the Kenyan Civil Aviation Authority has recognised the important part that we can play in developing Kenyan aviation. We very much look forward to working with the KCAA towards fastjet Kenya's first flights."

Liberum Capital Buy 88.00 87.00 230.00 230.00 Reiterates