Fastjet’s new CEO hires smaller aircraft and moves to Joburg
AFRICAN discount airline Fastjet will switch to a fleet of Embraer SA regional jets from larger Airbus Group aircraft as new CEO Nico Bezuidenhout seeks to stem losses by better matching capacity to demand.The fledgling carrier will also move its headquarters to Johannesburg from London to pare expenses and bring the company closer to its key markets, Bezuidenhout said in an interview in Johannesburg. He took over as CEO last month.Fastjet will have returned three leased 145-seat Airbus A319 jets by the end of September and plans to sub-lease two. The one it owns will be put for sale. The carrier has agreed to short-term leases on three Embraer E190s with fewer than 120 seats apiece, the first of which is due in Tanzania within two weeks.Bezuidenhout took over after predecessor Ed Winter quit following clashes with investor Stelios Haji-Ioannou, the EasyJet founder, who had demanded cost cuts. The move to Johannesburg will be made in stages following consultation with the workforce,...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.