Fastjet inches closer to flying in Kenya

Fastjet’s Kenya subsidiary has been granted an air service licence by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority.

The decision, announced on Monday, clears the way for the low-cost airline to take the next steps to operate domestic flights in Kenya.

The AIM-listed company will now begin the application process for an air operator certificate, which 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.

Fastjet chief executive Ed Winter said the air service licence 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 air operator certificate and the receipt of our air operator certificate in Zimbabwe last week, today's announcement signals a very substantial acceleration in the development of the fastjet network and our future growth plans.”