African low-cost carrier Fastjet confirmed “milestone” plans this morning to acquire its first aircraft.
The airline, backed by easyJet founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, currently operates a fleet of three leased Airbus A319s.
Fastjet raised £50 million from a share sale in April to support fleet expansion.
The carrier has now agreed to purchase its first A319 for an undisclosed sum. The aircraft is due to be deployed in Zambia to enter service by the end of September.
Fastjet chief executive, Ed Winter, said: “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.”