Ugandan start-up airline Africa One claims to be "days away" from securing a $35 million investment from a "major player" in the air transport market, allowing it to launch services.
Contrary to local news reports that the launch has been postponed indefinitely following the terror attacks on the USA, Africa One parent DAS Air says that they have served to "concentrate the minds of investors" on Africa as one of the unaffected markets.
Frederick Ochieng Obbo, chief operating officer for the Ugandan-Tanzanian joint venture, says the events of 11 September have increased costs, but are likely to boost demand for African carriers.
The airline, which is planning to operate from East and West Africa to London and Dubai, has received the Ugandan regulatory go-ahead and says it is close to Tanzanian approval. The airline plans to launch four months after completion of the approval process.
The carrier will acquire additional aircraft once the unidentified partner is secured, to add to its initial fleet of one McDonnell Douglas DC10-30 and two Boeing MD-82s.
Source: Flight International