Fastjet plc has received an Air Service Permit (ASP) from the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development of the Government of Zimbabwe. The permit will assist the company to obtain an Air Operating Certificate (AOC).

“We recognised the real potential in Zimbabwe some time ago and have been working with the authorities to build fastjet Zimbabwe, and obtain permission to commence operations to various domestic and international destinations from the country,” says Ed Winter, Interim Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the company.

“We identified many potential routes within and from Zimbabwe where we believe that the low-cost model will stimulate and tap into the huge market of passengers currently travelling by bus. For example, there are as many as 100 buses a day travelling the 1 100km road between Harare and Johannesburg at fares up to $120 – return,” he motivates.

The airline has been working with the authorities to obtain the necessary licences over the past few months, with the final step being the public “Gazetting” of the application earlier this month.

Receiving an ASP means that the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe and the Ministry of Transport have approved the business plan, aircraft choice and proposed structure of the planned airline as appropriate to operate and compliant with Zimbabwe regulations.