Fly540 Angola

Fly540 Angola was established in 2009 as a subsidiary of Kenya-based Fly540.[1] It was the first privately owned airline in Angola. The subsidiary was created as Fly540 felt there was a lack of domestic and regional air service in and out of Angola.[2] Fly540 faced difficulties in launching Fly540 Angola, as Angola was under scrutiny by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and state-owned TAAG Angola Airlines had been placed on the EU blacklist due to safety concerns.[3][4]

Operations were expected to begin in 2009,[1] but Fly540 Angola did not obtain certification from the Instituto Nacional da Aviação Civil until February 2011.[5] The airline commenced flights in April 2011 with a single ATR 72-500 and the Cabinda airport as its base.[6][7] By February 2013, the fleet had grown to two ATR 72-200s and one ATR 72-500.[8]

Fly540 Angola struggled in the market and accumulated losses.[9] In June 2012, parent company Fly540 was acquired by Rubicon Diversified Investments, which made all of Fly540's subsidiaries part of its new venture Fastjet.[10] However, in April 2014, Fastjet suspended Fly540 Angola's operations in order to restructure the airline from its full-service model to Fastjet's low-cost model.[11][12] Fastjet subsequently decided to sell off Fly540 Angola's fleet, and the airline never resumed operations.[13]

Pablo Martins was the airline's commercial director at the time of its launch.[5] Fastjet held a 60% stake in the airline.[4]

At the time of its suspension, Fly540 Angola flew to the following destinations:[12]

A Fly540 Angola ATR 72

Fly540 Angola operated two ATR 72 aircraft at the time of its suspension.[12]

Fly540 Angola functioned as a full-service airline rather than as a low-cost airline.[12] Its ATR 72-500 offered 56 economy class seats and 12 business class seats.[7]