Richard Branson flies with budget African carrier
Last week famous British entrepreneur Richard Branson flew into neighbouring Zimbabwe, not by private jet or in first class. Branson arrived in Zimbabwe’s capital Harare with budget airline Fastjet on 30 June. The airline was honoured to have the celebrity entrepreneur on board one of its flights and thanked the founder of the Virgin Group […]
Last week famous British entrepreneur Richard Branson flew into neighbouring Zimbabwe, not by private jet or in first class.
Branson arrived in Zimbabwe’s capital Harare with budget airline Fastjet on 30 June.
The airline was honoured to have the celebrity entrepreneur on board one of its flights and thanked the founder of the Virgin Group for choosing to fly Fastjet.
Having the British entrepreneur who is known to have a sense of humour and for his personal approach to people was a delight for the Zimbabwe-based airline.
BUDGET CARRIER FASTJET
The airline flies between South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe. Destinations include Johannesburg, Maun, Harare, the Kruger Park, Victoria Falls, and Hwange National Park.
Fastjet took to the skies in 2012 as “the world’s first pan-African low-cost carrier”.
According to TimesLive, Fastjet was formed by Stelios Haji-Ioannou, the founder of the British airline EasyJet, and Rubicon Diversified Investments after a deal to buy Africa-focused conglomerate Lonrho’s aviation business.
INTERESTS IN SA
Branson, known for his exciting entrepreneurial ventures into airlines, hotels and other recreational pursuits, is no stranger to South Africa.
His scheduled airline Virgin Atlantic Airways operates daily scheduled flights between South Africa and the United Kingdom.
Branson owns a luxury game lodge near the Kruger National Park. Ulusaba Private Game Reserve is Branson’s premium wildlife property in South Africa.
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VIRGIN ACTIVE
Branson is also associated with SA’s well-known Virgin Active Fitness Club brand. Branson took ownership of the former Health and Racquet Club fitness brand which faced financial challenges in the early 2000s.
Former President Nelson Mandela made a call to Richard Branson asking him to help save the chain. Branson decided to take the risk. Virgin stepped in, turned the business around and made it a multinational company.
Virgin Active fitness clubs can now be found across the globe in countries including the United Kingdom, Italy, Australia, Singapore, and Thailand.