Nico Bezuidenhout, Fastjet's incoming Chief Executive Officer (CEO), says that he may consider swapping out the carrier's fleet of five A319-100s for a smaller aircraft type that is better suited to the LCC's current markets.
Speaking to Bloomberg, Bezuidenhout said that he would need to study the airline's operational data but suspects the A319s, the majority of which are configured with 144 seats (with one seating 156), are too big and may need to be returned to their lessors early.
Other aspects of the carrier's business that may be overhauled include its distribution network as well as the refinement of its cost structure, he said
In addition, Fastjet (Dar es Salaam) may need to shift its headquarters from Gatwick in the United Kingdom, to a base in Africa in order to cut operational costs as well as to better understand the market.
The latter has been a key demand of 12.6% shareholder and easyGroup chairman, Stelios Haji-Ioannou. Last month, the billionaire called a shareholder meeting for June 28 to push for the removal of executive chairman, Colin Child, claiming he had taken no steps to stem the LCC's continued losses. However, earlier this week, Fastjet's board issued a statement in which they asked other shareholders to reject Stelios's demands.
“The board firmly considers that a period of continuity and stability is essential following the appointment of the new chief executive and the numerous board changes that have occurred in the past year," Rob Burnham, director, Fastjet, said. "I have worked closely with Colin over the past few months and I can say that Colin has continuously demonstrated his commitment to your company and sought always to act in the best interest of all shareholders."
Bezuidenhout, who is currently CEO of South African Airways (SA, Johannesburg O.R. Tambo) budget unit Mango Airlines (MNO, Johannesburg O.R. Tambo), assumes his position on August 1.
