FastJet has announced its first operating base will be in the Tanzanian capital Dar es Salaam with flights starting in November.

The company launched by Easyjet founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou aims to become Africa’s leading budget carrier by offering flights for as low as US$20 one-way, excluding taxes and charges.

Fastjet first Airbus passenger jet will arrive in Dar es Salaam next month and recruitment of crew and ground staff is already underway.

FastJetChief Executive Ed Winter said: “Our initial focus will be on East Africa with the airline’s first base at Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, where the A319 aircraft has already been approved by the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority.  

“This will be followed by a second base in Nairobi, Kenya, once the A319 is approved there.  We look forward to bringing a great, reliable and affordable service to the people of East Africa.”

FastJet Plc is the holding company for African airline Fly540, which operates from four bases in Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana and Angola.  Fly540 currently has 10 aircraft serving around 25 domestic and regional destinations, carrying approximately 750,000 passengers per year with a strong emphasis on safety, security and reliability.

The ambitious low-cost carrier is also planning to set up in Nairobi, Kenya, once the A319 aircraft is approved for use from the airport. It then plans to launch in Accra, Ghana and Luanda and Angola.

Africa is the fastest growing continent in the world, but airline capacity is just one seat per year per 13,000 people. The US has 2.5 seats per person, while for the African market to grow to the size of Europe’s would require an extra 1.7 billion seats.