Africa’s budget airline Fastjet (AIM:FJET) is trading up nearly 5 percent this morning after announcing that it has signed a sales and distribution contract with Emirates Airlines.

Emirates’ passengers will now be able to access to Fastjet’s growing route network across East and Southern Africa and book tickets through Emirates website and reservation system.

Emirates currently fly to over 140 destinations across the world, including 20 in Africa, while fastjet is rapidly becoming the leading pan African low-cost carrier.

In a statement, the company said that “the partnership will benefit both fastjet and Emirates with greater passenger traffic and will give travellers in Africa the opportunity to connect to the rest of the world through Emirates’ Dubai hub with fastjet providing passengers from African towns and cities.”

Fast jet’s Chief Commercial Officer Richard Bodin commented on the agreement: “We are absolutely delighted to be working with such a highly regarded and successful airline. Not only will it allow us access to the millions of passengers that Emirates carries, it is also a significant validation of our operation, service and proven low-cost model. We look forward to greeting Emirates passengers on board our aircraft.”