Ed Winter, fastjet’s chief executive since 2012, is leaving the business.
No replacement has been named but Winter will stay on until a suitable candidate is identified and headhunters have been appointed to start the search.
Winter said: ""We have built a great platform from which the Company can achieve its vision of being the first significant pan-African low-cost airline.
“Following four intensive years of work and overseas travel, I am looking forward to spending more time on my other personal and professional interests.”
Earlier this week fastjet celebrated the launch of it has first flights to Kenya.
The good news followed a challenging period for the airline. In December it cut revenue forecasts for 2015 and 2016, citing “challenging market conditions”.