African low-cost airline Fastjet has announced plans to increase its fleet this year, to expand operations and add more routes to its network.
It says its three existing aircraft are almost fully in use so it needs new planes for the planned expansion of fastjet Tanzania and to launch operations in Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The airline has signed a letter of intent with ICBC International Leasing Company Limited to lease an A319-131 aircraft, which will enter into service in the third quarter of 2015.
It will be the first of a number that fastjet is planning to add to its fleet this year, each one adding up to 1,000 more seats per day.
"It will be a strong step forward to add another aircraft to our fleet and embark on our planned expansion funded by our recent £50 million placing," said Ed Winter, fastjet CEO.
"We are currently negotiating to bring further aircraft into the fleet."
The airline wants to have up to 34 aircraft operating to 40 destinations within and from Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Kenya and Uganda by the end of 2018.
