Fast track into Africa

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FastJet, the new pan-African low-cost carrier backed by Stelios Haji-Ioannou, and one of the highest profile new entrants to the market this year, is at the show to explain its routes philosophy. The carrier will launch operations in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania in early November and plans to expand its fleet size up to 15 Airbus A319s within the first year of operations.

Chief executive Ed Winter says east African governments have been sympathetic to its arguments against taxation. "We've shown them that a reduction in the tax - and the stimulation of demand and the overall size of the market - will cause a rapid increase in the net revenues for government," he explains. "But it needs a bit of a leap of faith for governments to actually reduce taxes...

Doing business Down Under

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Emirates Airline, the flag carrier of Dubai, this summer announced that a code share partnership with Australia’s Qantas is likely to be signed within months.

The move follows the decision by Etihad Airways, Abu Dhabi’s flag carrier, to increase its equity stake in Virgin Australia to 10 per cent. It also comes as Qatar Airways voices renewed interest in Australia. Taken together, the hubbub spells a new phase in the long-running tussle between the Gulf carriers and their western counterparts for supremacy over inter-continental traffic flows...