Fastjet: From the Dream of a Pan-African Low-Cost Carrier to Zimbabwe and Federal Airlines

The fleet

Fastjet Zimbabwe ran an operational trial during 2026 with an Airbus A320, evaluating a permanent introduction in 2027, while Federal Airlines typically operates smaller aircraft suited to charter and non-scheduled shuttle services.

History and positioning

The initial plan was to replicate in Africa the model of the big European low-cost carriers, with bases in several countries on the continent, but the operations in Tanzania and in other markets proved unsustainable over time and were gradually shut down, leaving the group with a much smaller footprint than originally envisioned. 2024 closed with group revenue of $64.9 million and operating income of $24.8 million, figures that reflect a business now scaled back from its original pan-African ambition.

Routes and network

Fastjet Zimbabwe operates scheduled flights from its base at Harare, while Federal Airlines concentrates on non-scheduled, charter and shuttle services, mainly within South Africa and neighboring countries. A separate chapter concerns Mozambique: after Fastjet Mozambique had already operated between 2017 and 2019, the Mozambican civil aviation authorities approved in December 2025 the relaunch of the brand by Solenta Aviation Mozambique, with three Embraer ERJ145s already arrived in the country awaiting the start of flights from Beira during 2026.

Fastjet today makes sense mainly for those flying from Harare with Fastjet Zimbabwe or those arranging a charter transfer in South Africa with Federal Airlines, while those who remember the original pan-African low-cost project should know that the ambition has shrunk to a much smaller set of countries and routes. Anyone following the planned relaunch of Fastjet Mozambique from Beira should check the actual status of flights before booking, since it is an operation still in its early stages after the regulatory approval of late 2025.