fastjet to start Mozambican operations in mid-4Q17

fastjet has announced its entry into the Mozambican market will take place on Friday, November 3. Solenta Aviation (SET, Lanseria) was one of seven carriers awarded domestic Mozambican route authorities last month, the others being CFM - Transportes e Trabalhos Aéreos, TTA - Sociedade de Transporte e Trabalho Aéreo, Ethiopian Airlines, Malawian Airlines, and incumbents LAM - Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique and MEX - Mocambique Expresso.

In a statement, the African low-fare carrier said its virtual Fastjet Mozambique (Maputo) unit would connect Maputo with each of Beira (9x weekly), Tete (4x weekly), and Nampula (7x weekly) using ERJ-145 equipment operated by technical partner Solenta Aviation Mozambique.

With the launch of Mozambican services, fastjet will have a direct operational presence in three African countries alongside Fastjet in Tanzania and Fastjet Zimbabwe. Entry into the South African market using the Fastjet South Africa vehicle will be undertaken by Federal Air.

Prior to the delivery of its first two EMB-190s to Fastjet for its Tanzanian operations, it has temporarily wet-leased a B737-300 from Star Air (South Africa) (BRH, Johannesburg O.R. Tambo) until the end of this month, the latter's chief executive Peter Annear has confirmed to ch-aviation.