FASTJET FLEET CHANGE UPDATES
(Posted 02nd April 2017)
Information is emerging about the ongoing and upcoming fleet changes of Fastjet, an airline with aspirations to become a pan Africa Low Cost Carrier, in short LCC.
As reported here at the time, does Fastjet presently operate a wetleased Embraer E190 from Air Bulgaria and this lease will continue until the end of September 2017. At that stage does Fastjet expect to have in service two Embraer E190’s operated by their own crews.
The Airbus A319 registered as 5H-FJD is presently undergoing maintenance and has in the short term been replaced by a wet leased Boeing B737 from Star Air which will return to the lessor when the Airbus resumes operations. The B737 is performing both domestic flights in Tanzania as well as some of the airline’s regional services i.e. from Dar es Salaam via Lusaka to Harare.
The Airbus A319 5H-FJD after coming back from maintenance is then remaining on the fleet until the end of September when the lease reportedly ends and the aircraft will be returned to the lessors.
Meanwhile is an Embraer 145LR jet aircraft from Solenta Aviation – a new shareholder of Fastjet, details of where were reported here – operating in Fastjet colours on the route between Harare and Johannesburg. The 50 seater aircraft is also performing the flights between Harare and Victoria Falls.
It is understood that subject to regulatory approval may the two daily flights between Harare and Johannesburg be upped to three a day in view of the much lower seat capacity compared to the previously used Airbus A319 with registration Z-FJE which has reportedly also been returned to the lessors after expiry of the lease.
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