Suspension of flight operations in Mozambique

RNS Number : 5203Q

Fastjet PLC

21 October 2019

 

21 October 2019

fastjet Plc

("fastjet" the "Company" and together with its subsidiaries the "Group")

Suspension of flight operations in Mozambique

fastjet plc announces that from midnight on Saturday 26 October 2019, fastjet Mozambique will be suspending its flight operations in Mozambique, including flights under its code-share arrangements with LAM Mozambique Airlines.

As detailed in fastjet's 2019 Interim Results announcement and April Trading Update, competition in Mozambique began to intensify at the end of 2018 with the market entry of Ethiopian Airlines as a domestic carrier.  This increase in aircraft and capacity supply, coupled with two category 5 tropical cyclones at the beginning of 2019 which suppressed passenger demand, led fastjet to scale back frequency on routes and to reduce overall capacity in Mozambique.  As a result, fastjet Mozambique reported significantly reduced revenue of US$1.9m in the first half of 2019 (H1 2018: US$4.2m) out of total revenue for the Group of US$19.7m.

Following continued losses (US$2.4m in the first half of 2019) and the ongoing oversupply of available seats by other carriers, fastjet has decided to suspend all flight operations in Mozambique. It is expected that costs related to the suspension of flight operations in Mozambique including refunds will amount to around $150k. However, fastjet remains committed to returning to Mozambique once demand for air travel in the country increases sufficiently compared to capacity supplied.

The suspension of flights in Mozambique does not affect any of the operations of fastjet Zimbabwe, the leading airline brand in Zimbabwe, which continues to operate between Harare, Johannesburg, Bulawayo and Victoria Falls.

Cash balances as at 30 September amounted to US$2.8 million.

Mark Hurst, fastjet Interim Chief Executive Officer, said:

"The detrimental financial impact of ongoing supply and demand challenges means that suspending our Mozambique operations is the right course of action at this time.  However, we remain committed to Mozambique, will be monitoring the market environment very closely and expect to return there as and when the situation improves."

This announcement is released by fastjet plc and contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 (MAR), and is disclosed in accordance with the Company's obligations under Article 17 of MAR.

For the purposes of MAR and Article 2 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/1055, this announcement is being made on behalf of the Company by Kris Jaganah, Chief Financial Officer.

For more information, please contact:

fastjet Plc	Tel: [phone]
Mark Hurst, Group Interim Chief Executive Officer Kris Jaganah, Group Chief Financial Officer
UK media - Citigate Dewe Rogerson	Tel: [phone]
Angharad Couch
Toby Moore
Nick Hayns
For investor enquiries please contact:
Liberum Capital Limited - Nominated Adviser and Broker	Tel: [phone]
Andrew Godber
Clayton Bush
James Greenwood
William Hall

NOTES TO EDITORS

About fastjet:

fastjet is a multi-award-winning African value airline that began flight operations in 2012. Its awards include, Leading African Low-Cost Carrier World Travel Awards 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, and Skytrax World Airline Awards Best Low-Cost Airline in Africa 2017. Today, fastjet connects Zimbabwe by flying between Harare and Victoria Falls, Harare and Bulawayo. It also offers flights from Harare and Victoria Falls to Johannesburg in South Africa.  

Since commencing operations fastjet has flown over 3 million passengers and has established itself as a punctual, reliable, and affordable low-cost carrier.

fastjet Plc is quoted on the London Stock Exchange's AIM Market.

For more information see www.fastjet.com

 

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