Stelios closes in on Fastjet lift off
 

EasyJet founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou has moved closer to the lift off of new African budget airline Fastjet.

The carrier is expected to be based in West Africa operating a fleet of 15 leased aircraft. Fastjet aims to link six countries in the region to the Ghanaian capital of Accra.

Stelios’ EasyGroup agreed to become a shareholder in Rubicon Diversified Investments in December and has now agreed a brand licence deal for the use of the Fastjet brand, according to the Sunday Times.

Rubicon said at the time it will use the services of Stelios and EasyGroup’s experienced aviation management team to provide “general strategic, management and branding advice” on the feasibility of implementing a low cost, point-to-point, no frills, all jet aircraft business model for Africa:)

According to the newspapers in Nairobi Fly540 now taken over by Rubicon Diversified Investments under Sir Stellios Haji-Ioannou which has also absorbed Lonrho's shares in Fly540. The deal is subject to shareholder approval set for June 29.
Further reports indicate that Fly540 will be eventually absorbed by Fast Jet.

See a separate story here.

Lonrho sells its Fly540 stake to fund for Sh7.2bn - Corporate News |businessdailyafrica.com

Sources indicate that the first A319's may be in operation in October of 2012.

Hope he realises the European LoCo model may not work in Africa. Charging someone to use the bog may well result in a stealthy turd being deposited under the seat or in the magazine pocket....:E

stealthy turd being deposited under the seat
 

:ok:

Hahahahahaha!!! What an image srt! :D

Already happens...

Yup happens on Ryanair and Easyjet and I heard the other day they tried to light a barbecue pack at the rear.....:eek: on a wizzair flight from some Eastern European country to LGW.

Low cost model needs subsided airport fees, liberalized airspace and customers ready to pay all the ancillary revenue stuff on board.

In Europe, there are many regional airports where left-leaning goverements find it a great idea to use taxpayer money to subside low cost airline operations. Once the airline has discounts in its hands, it can fly to any european destination it wishes. On board many customers will happily pay extra for coffee and snacks "since the ticket was so cheap".

Meanwhile in Africa, Stelios will get laughed out from any meeting where he would try to get discounts. He will also find out that protectionism is still firmly in place, even in countries where the national airline has collapsed. And most customers will stiffly avoid paying any extra fees (apart from overweight luggage...)

But, Stelios/Fastjet team must already know the above, and yet still plan to enter the market. :confused:

Rubicon Diversified Investments PLC : Fastjet Chooses Airbus | 4-Traders

1st of 15 airbus A319's due in Sep/Oct 2012.

FastJet - New LCC Formed By Stelios & Others Adding A319s in Africa
 

Not sure if others have seen this - could not find it on this forum. I know it has been discussed but I haven't seen anything recently. For those who are unemployed and rated, perhaps this could be helpful.

Looks like Stelios and FastJet have selected (surprise surprise) the Airbus A319. FastJet potentially wants 15 A319s in just the first year - that means quite a few pilot jobs. Not sure what the local pilot requirement might be. Should we assume that, to operate in specific countries, there would be a local pilot percentage requirement?

See below:


Rubicon Diversified Investments PLC : Fastjet Chooses Airbus

07/03/2012 | 07:17am US/Eastern

RNS Number : 7336G
Rubicon Diversified Investments PLC
03 July 2012
Rubicon Diversified Investments Plc

("Rubicon" or the "Company" or "FastJet"; AIM: RUBI)

FastJet chooses Airbus A319 to launch low cost African airline
Rubicon today announces it has chosen the Airbus A319 aircraft to launch its new low cost carrier, FastJet, across Africa, with the first aircraft expected to carry passengers by October. FastJet will operate under a brand licence agreement with easyGroup Holdings Limited ("easyGroup") and Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, founder of leading low cost airline, easyJet.
Commenting on the announcement, Rubicon Chief Executive Ed Winter, said: "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. Rubicon expects passenger capacity to double from current levels within six months of the introduction of the A319 fleet.

"We plan to add at least five leased Airbus A319 aircraft to the fleet within six months of launch and up to 15 within a year."

John Leahy, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer Customers, added:
"We are delighted that FastJet has chosen the A319 as the basis for its fleet, a further endorsement for the efficiency and reliability of Airbus' market leading single aisle family of aircraft.

"FastJet will open up low cost travel to the African market, and the Airbus A319 will bring new levels of comfort to air passengers across Africa. It is a great combination."

The Airbus A319 has proven itself an ideal aircraft for the low cost airline model in other parts of the world. The 156 seat A319 was initially chosen after an extensive evaluation of a wide range of options and is ideally suited to the Company's expansion plans. Leasing aircraft on operating leases enables the airline to match its rate of growth closely to market requirements.

The first aircraft will be leased from Nomura Babcock Brown Co., Ltd. (BBAM Aircraft Management LLC), and is scheduled for delivery in September/October. BBAM is the world's third largest aircraft lessor, managing a portfolio of over 450 aircraft. Negotiations on further aircraft deliveries later in the year are underway.

Rubicon announced on 29 June the successful completion of its deal with Lonrho Aviation and its airline Fly540, providing the merged group with existing aviation platforms in Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania and Angola. Lonrho Plc owns 74.9% of the London-listed aviation business and Stelios' easyGroup will own 5%.

David Lenigas, Executive Chairman of Rubicon and of Lonrho Plc, stated:
"FastJet has already stated its intent to raise the bar on air safety in Africa by operating its aircraft under the same strict rules that apply to European carriers. To this end, we expect to sign an agreement with a major European MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) company for the maintenance of its new A319 fleet in the coming months."

"Our management team has been actively engaged in detailed discussions with a number of Governments to lobby for incentives and reduced passenger taxes, factors that will affect our final decision on where to deploy the first A319s."

For further information please contact:
Rubicon Diversified Investments Plc Tel: +44 (0) 20 7887 1421
Ed Winter
David Lenigas

Nice artist impression of FastJet A319...