1 Jul 2014 07:00
fastjet plc
("fastjet" or the "Company")
1st July 2014
Board Change
fastjet plc, Africa's low-cost airline, today announces that Angus Saunders is stepping down as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director of the Board for personal reasons.
Nick Caine, currently Chief Financial Officer of Fiji Airways, has been selected as his successor as Chief Financial Officer and a Director of the Company, and will take over the role on 11 August 2014. Angus and Nick will work together during the next two months to ensure a smooth and orderly succession.
Ed Winter, Interim Chairman and Chief Executive of fastjet, said: "While we are sad to see Angus leave, we thank him for his contributions during an important growth period in fastjet's history and wish him well for the future. We are pleased to welcome Nick, who has a strong track record in the aviation industry, in particular with airline start-ups, and we look forward to his involvement in fastjet's next stage of growth."
Nicholas Peregrine Clayton Caine (aged 46) joined Fiji Airways in 2010 as Chief Financial Officer and during his time there has been instrumental in returning the airline to profitability, securing financing for the new wide-body fleet and delivering significant cost savings. Nick's aviation career has spanned both traditional airlines, including British Airways and South African Airways, and low cost airlines Jetstar Pacific, as CFO based in Vietnam, and easyjet, as Head of Financial Planning from 2002 to 2006.
Commenting on his appointment, Nick said: "I am very excited about joining the fastjet team at this important stage in the airline's development. The airline is expanding its international route network and is well on its way to becoming the continent's first true pan-African carrier. I look forward to helping bring affordable, high-quality air travel to the people of Africa."
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NOTES TO EDITORS
About fastjet plc
fastjet plc is the holding company of the low-cost airline fastjet which commenced flight operations in Tanzania in November 2012. The airline operates a fleet of distinctively branded Airbus A319s and since its launch has grown to encompass the key domestic routes within Tanzania and a rapidly increasing number of international destinations. By adhering to international standards of safety, quality, security and reliability, fastjet has brought a new flying experience to the African market at unprecedented low prices.
fastjet is implementing the low-cost carrier model across Africa and its long-term strategy is to become the continent's first low-cost, pan-African airline. fastjet plc is also the holding company of airline Fly540, which operates in Kenya, Ghana and Angola.
By offering one way fares from as low as $20, fastjet has stimulated a new customer base; the results of a customer survey showed that 38% of fastjet passengers had never flown before. This democratisation of air travel is expected to gather momentum across the final continent to experience the low-cost airline revolution.
fastjet is committed to communicating effectively with its existing and potential customers and has, to date, won a number of marketing awards. With over 140,000 social media followers, it occupies a unique position in African aviation.
fastjet plc is quoted on the London Stock Exchange's AIM market.
For more information see www.fastjet.com