fastjet, Africa’s low-cost airline, has signed a sales and distribution contract with Emirates, the world’s largest airline by international traffic, that allows Emirates’ passengers access to fastjet’s growing route network across east and southern Africa.

Emirates passengers will be able to book fastjet tickets on all of Emirates’ sales channels using a bespoke link between Emirates and fastjet’s reservations system.

Emirates currently fly to over 140 destinations across the world, including 20 in Africa, while fastjet is rapidly becoming the leading pan African low-cost carrier.

The partnership will benefit both fastjet and Emirates with greater passenger traffic and will give travellers in Africa the opportunity to connect to the rest of the world through Emirates’ Dubai hub with fastjet providing passengers from African towns and cities.

Commenting on the agreement, fastjet chief commercial officer Richard Bodin, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be working with such a highly regarded and successful airline.

“Not only will it allow us access to the millions of passengers that Emirates carries, it is also a significant validation of our operation, service and proven low-cost model. We look forward to greeting Emirates passengers on board our aircraft.”