Budget airline Fastjet shares dive on profit warning

Shares in Fastjet have plummeted after the African budget airline issued a profit warning.

The airline, which is backed by Easyjet founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, said results in 2016 would be "materially below market expectations" amid a "challenging" African market.

Fastjet shares dropped 36% to 43p in Monday trading in London.

Last month, Stelios Haji-Ioannou said he had "lost faith" in the board and that the firm was running out of money.

Sir Stelios called for the dismissal of chief executive Ed Winter and another Fastjet director.

"Unless the board does some serious cost cutting the company will soon run out of cash," Sir Stelios warned in a letter to Fastjet's chairman.

Sir Stelios has a stake in Fastjet through his Easygroup investment company

In a trading update, Fastjet said it had over $20m (£14.1m) to meet current requirements, but the board may consider raising more funds later this year.

The company also no longer expects to generate positive cash flow for the year.

Sir Stelios' investment company Easygroup has an 11% stake in Fastjet, according to the airline.

The entrepreneur and his family still own a significant stake in Easyjet and other companies including Easygym and Easypizza.