fastjet will make its entry into South Africa, albeit not through services operated domestically.

The airline announced this morning (June 14) that it has decided to temporarily put a hold on fastjet-branded domestic routes, but that it has secured international route approval for flights from Tanzania to Johannesburg. The airline said that a launch date for the international services will be announced “soon”.

Said Ed Winter, fastjet ceo and chairman: “The fastjet board has taken the decision to put the launch of domestic routes in South Africa temporarily on hold so that it can direct all its efforts and resources to starting its international services as soon as possible.”

Ed added, however, that fastjet remains committed to launching the fastjet brand in South Africa as soon as possible. “Given all the time and effort the team has invested over the past months to secure our international route designations, we have taken the sensible decision to prioritise setting up these lucrative and high profile routes first, before turning our attention to launch the fastjet brand on domestic routes in South Africa.”

fastjet chief commercial officer, Richard Bodin added that the airline is currently planning a “huge” sales launch activity hoping to offer early booking passengers to and from Johannesburg fares as low as US$100 (R997) one-way, excluding government taxes and charges.

In addition to the international route approval between Tanzania and South Africa, the airline also secured approval for flights from Tanzania and Zambia as well as approval for flights from Tanzania to Rwanda.