According to an interview with Air 2000 MD Ken Smith yesterday, the a/c diverted to Tangiers due to destination and first two alternates being closed, two due to weather, and on arrival required to refuel in order to get to original destination when weather improved.
The 'Tangerines' would not accept any credit cards or travellers cheques and insisted on payment for fuel and services in cash. Air 2000 a/c all cary fuel carnets and all captains have company credit cards and a substantial 'float' in travellers cheques. In most normal countries this is more than enough to make arrangements where the company do not have standing accounts or handling agents but obviously in the third world North African location, without sanction from the heierarchy transactions will only be carried out with cash outside normal working hours.
The Air 2000 captain showed initiative by explaining the situation to the pax and suggested that if they could raise enough cash between them to pay for the fuel and services they could be on their way to their original destination where they would be reimbursed because the weather had now improved and the airport was once again open. Enough pax with cash on them stumped up the readies, the bill was paid and the a/c departed and delivered them all safely to their original destination, albeit a few hours behind schedule.
The outcome was uneventful, the pax were reimbursed and the newspapers had an amusing story they could twist to their hearts content. Overall it showed Air 2000 Captains to be resourceful and with the initiative to get their pax to their destination in the face of third world bureaucracy. As for the choice of alternates, we have 4 on our PLOGS in order of operational preference and are not limited to these. maybe Tangiers will be reconsidered in the light of this event.
No doubt the tabloids will put a spin on it with a description from Mrs Agnes Higginbottom, 58, from Clacton who described the whole incident as terrifying and she felt her life was about to end as the plane lurched from the air into the North African airport. We'll see.
Now that we all know the Guvnors pilots
carry actual wads of cash they might be a bit weary fo identifying themselves as employees for fear of being mugged.
All Air 2000 a/c are certified and equiped for CATIIIb autolands but the destination airfield has to be equipped to CATIIIb standards too otherwise you are stuck with CATI minima or less if that is the level of investment in the airport concerned.
