fastjet has announced that, ahead of flight operations scheduled for next week, its first branded Airbus A319 has arrived at its base in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. 

Full approval to operate the aircraft has been granted to the African low-cost carrier by the Tanzanian Civil Aviation Authority.

Two more fastjet-branded A319s are planned to be en route early next week, to be in Dar es Salaam in time for the airline’s first flight, scheduled for Thursday 29th November. 

fastjet’s team of 35 pilots, 65 cabin crew and seven maintenance specialists are already on the ground actively preparing for launch.

fastjet will take off later this month

In a little over a week since tickets went on sale, fastjet has already taken over 8,000 bookings on the first two routes; enough to fill over 60 A319s. 

The fastjet.com web site received over 20,000 hits in its first four days and the mobile site is now live.

Commenting on the significant progress, fastjet chairman David Lenigas said:  “As expected, plans for fastjet’s official launch of operations are moving ahead right on schedule and we are delighted with the level of interest so far.

“Demand for seats is high and we are in great shape to start flying next week. We are delighted to have such a solid foundation to build upon.”

Further to the Company’s announcement on July 24th 2012, fastjet has now formally entered into the £5 million Equity Financing Facility with Darwin Strategic, the majority owned subsidiary of Henderson Global Investors’ Alphagen Volantis fund.

The EFF covers a three year period.