Pan-African low-cost carrier FastJet has unveiled its livery one week before tickets go on sale.

The Stelios Haji-Ioannou-backed airline has taken delivery of three Airbus A319s and will launch operations later this month from its first base in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

A second east African base in Nairobi, Kenya will follow shortly after, with two west African bases in Accra, Ghana and Luanda, Angola due to launch in 2013.

fastjet
© FastJet

The livery depicts the African Grey Parrot on the tailfin against a predominantly yellow backdrop.

Commenting on the new branding, chief executive Ed Winter says: "The African Grey is renowned for its intelligence and is therefore a perfect personification of FastJet's motto - smart travel."

The fleet will grow to 15 aircraft within the first 12 months of operations, while management have made provisional plans to reach 40 aircraft by the end of 2016.

FastJet has air operator's certificates in Tanzania, Kenya, Ghana and Angola owing to its reverse takeover of Lonrho Aviation, the parent company of Nairobi-based airline Fly540.

Both carriers will initially operate side-by-side, though Fly540's turboprop flights will gradually be wound down as FastJet expands. Its services from Dar es Salaam have already ceased.

One-way tickets with FastJet will start at $20, excluding taxes, and will be available via the carrier's website, sales desks, call centres and travel agents.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news