A new day...

SAA’s admission that it
has been subsidising
Mango has highlighted
the fact that local LCCs have
not been operating on a level
playing field, other airlines say.
Meanwhile, Nico has
opened up to TNW about
his reasons for resigning
from Mango after 10 years
at the helm and taking on
the new challenge of ceo
of pan-African LCC fastjet.
He told TNW that, more
than anything, his decision
was a simple career move.
“After ten years at Mango,
it has come time to take
personal stock and look at
other opportunities. Mango
has been an absolute
passion of mine and
always will have a special
place in my heart.”
In his new role at fastjet,
Nico says he intends to
fully engage the travel
trade and partner with
them to nurture and
develop growth in African
aviation. He says the trade
plays an important role in
the success of any airline.
Although fastjet has seen
its fair share of problems
over the past year, Nico
believes the challenges are
not insurmountable. “There
is tremendous opportunity
in Africa, in particular for
low-cost airlines. I have
always been hands-on in
my approach to managing
an airline and my intention
is the same at fastjet.
“I expect that, with the
imminent enactment
of the Yamoussoukro
Decision, growth in African
aviation will receive a
much-needed infusion of
growth. Fastjet was the
first and will remain the
leader in pan-African lowcost
travel, and growth in
both network, distribution
and commercials will be
at the top of my agenda,”
he says.
Although fastjet is a
London-based business,
Nico has no immediate
plans to move to the UK.
“My hands-on approach
requires commercial and
operational proximity and
I would prefer to work
as closely as possible
to where the business
creates opportunity.”
As for Mango, Nico
says it will be business
as usual. “Mango has
a strong and highly
experienced management
team and I have the
utmost confidence in its
collective leadership.
In addition, every
staff member holds
immeasurable passion
and commitment to
the company. I believe
that Mango will go from
strength to strength.”
Nico says he has no
influence or involvement
in the appointment of his
successor but that he is
confident the new ceo
will reflect and match the
brand and passion of the
airline. Asked whether he
has any advice for the
next ceo, Nico said: “I
would say: make the airline
your own, grow and share
the deep passion for it
that every employee has
and, most of all, be
an active team member
and player.