The DC-10's are owned by Global Aviation. Two of them have become hangar queens, and ZS-GAS was re registered somewhere in Africa. Apparently its used on a Hadj Contract once a year.
Unconfirmed details, but thats what I heard in the bar somewhere.
I do believe they were looking for a DC10 instructor at the office the other day.....I must ask if it had anything to do with these a/c. Maybe coincidence. Goffel
2 of the 3 DC10-10s were being used On Haj flights From Dakar to Jeddah earlier this year being flown by various S American, N American and Bangladesh crews. There is talk of them going into Kabul but not sure.
Murrad Ishmael was involved in persuading the American owner to bring the aircraft to South Africa to fly SANDF personnel on peace keeping operations, and what was foreseen illegal immigrant repatriations, and of course Southern Africa Hajj flights.
Because none of this materialised the owner and Ishmael have long since had an acrimonius fall out. Ishmael is not the owner and today has nothing to do with these aircraft.
The 3 x 10-10's yearly parking bill probably amounts to more than the value of the aircraft, and any potential income from Hajj flights cannot even cover annual maintenance costs on one one of the machines.
According to industry sources the Saudi authorities have stipulated that only aircraft younger than 20 years old can obtain Hajj landing slots. This works well till the last moment when the flying becomes a free for all and anything goes.
