African budget carrier Fastjet has announced that it has finally gained permission to start international operations from its hub in Tanzania.

Fastjet, which is backed by Easyjet founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou, said that it would start international flights to Rwanda, Zambia and South Africa, as it had already received route approvals from the relevant government authorities.

The governments of Rwanda, Zambia and South Africa granted permissions under their Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASAs) with Tanzania.

Ed Winter, chief executive & chairman of Fastjet, said the development brought the carrier a step closer to its goal of becoming the first pan-African low-cost airline.

Speaking on the topic, Mr. Winter said, “This is a monumental day in Fastjet's history, and brings us closer to our goal of becoming Africa's first pan-continental low-cost airline.”

The CEO added that the carrier would soon announce the launch dates for flights from Dar es Salaam to Johannesburg, Kigali and Lusaka.

Fastjet, which operates from four bases in Tanzania, Ghana, Angola and Kenya, has also agreed to create a low-cost airline joint venture with Nigeria's Red 1 Airways to operate within Nigeria.