Virgin Nigeria (threads merged)
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Whitehaven Beach
Posts: 511
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hey guys:
The Latest on Virgin Nigeria:
1- Proving flight delayed, didn't take place yet, despite all those smooth landings you've been seeing at LOS/PHC.
2- The 2nd A320 LZ-BHB is due to arrive in LOS in the next few days.
3- The specific dates for ticket sales and revenue flights have also been delayed.
4- Expect VN to launch international flights earlier than anticipated/announced by the airline.
I've got no information about the airport modification status.
Later,
Rani
The Latest on Virgin Nigeria:
1- Proving flight delayed, didn't take place yet, despite all those smooth landings you've been seeing at LOS/PHC.
2- The 2nd A320 LZ-BHB is due to arrive in LOS in the next few days.
3- The specific dates for ticket sales and revenue flights have also been delayed.
4- Expect VN to launch international flights earlier than anticipated/announced by the airline.
I've got no information about the airport modification status.
Later,
Rani
Last edited by Rani; 6th May 2005 at 11:49.
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: DNMM/UK
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Virgin Nigeria's A320 was not at its parking slot/show off stand today. Any info of where it flew to? Has the proving flight been done. A rumour is going around that insurance requires JAA licensed crew whom they are unlikely to find in nigeria. Could this be a source of the delay.
Bellview's 767 is also missing from its stand has it entered comercial service?
Bellview's 767 is also missing from its stand has it entered comercial service?
Capt. Manuvar I am concerned at your powers of observation. The Bellview 767 can clearly be seen with its tail sticking out of the Nigerian Air Force hangar!!
The VGN A320 had a little jolly down to PHC. Returned safe and sound.
The VGN A320 had a little jolly down to PHC. Returned safe and sound.
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Abuja
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Court stops Virgin Nigeria take off
A Nigerian Daily, daily trust in its today edition carried this story:
Preparations for the take off of Virgin Nigeria Airline has suffered a major setback as a federal high court in Lagos granted an order restraining the airline from commencing flight operations.
The order follows a suit filed by the Airline Operators of Nigeria. (AON), before the court on May 12, 2005 to restrain the airline from taking off pending the determination of the case on the suit.
Joined as defendants in the suit are the Ministry of Aviation, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and Virgin Nigeria Airways.
The court, having gone through the process filed in the suit, granted the applicant (AON), leave to serve the motion on notice for an order of interlocutory injunction, and fixed Tuesday May 24, 2005 as the return date for the defendants to enter their defence.
The counsel to plaintiff prayed court for an order restraining the federal ministry of aviation from issuing Air Transport Licence (ATL) to Virgin Nigeria. Also, an order restraining the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency from granting en-route start-up-permit to Virgin Nigeria was given by the court pending the determination of the suit before it.
The counsel also prayed for an order restraining the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority from issuing Air Operators Certificate (AOC) and Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO) to Virgin Nigeria pending the determination of the suit.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria was also restrained by the court from giving permission to aircraft belonging directly or indirectly to Virgin Nigeria to operate in and out of any airport in Nigeria pending the determination of the suite.
Similarly the plaintiff also prayed for an order restraining Virgin Nigeria Airways Limited from commencing flight operations in Nigeria or using any airport facilities located within Nigeria and or usage of the facilities pending the determination of the court.
The Minister of Aviation through his ministry was also restrained from giving effect to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), entered into on September 28, 2004, between the federal government of Nigeria and the owners of Virgin Atlantic Airways Limited of United Kingdom, to establish an airline, pending the determination of the suite.
In an affidavit in support of the motion filed by AON, its counsel, Dotun Abolade of Messrs Rickey Tarfa (SAN) stated that the AON efforts to increase market participation for its members in International routes led the Nigerian government to enter into some multilataral and bilateral agreements like the Yamoussoukro Decision, the Open Skies Agreement with the United States of America, the Dual Designation Agreement between U.K and Nigeria.
That other signatories into the agreements entered into by Nigeria have benefited by operating flights from their countries to Nigeria, whereas the Ministry of Aviation has frustrated all the efforts of the members of the Airlines Operators of Nigeria (AON), to operate international flights in line with the agreements entered into by Nigeria.
That under the Dual Designation Agreement between the U.K and Nigeria, the U.K government designated two airlines - British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways to operate Lagos-London routes whereas the Ministry of Aviation has failed to designate any of AON members from Nigeria to the United Kingdom.
The counsel alleged that the Ministry of Aviation recent policy statement which reserved the Lagos –London route exclusively for Virgin Nigeria for seven and a half years is wrongful and amounts to a direct violation of the federal government’s policy on liberalisation and fair competition in favour of Virgin Nigeria.
The counsel alleged further that Virgin Nigeria with active connivance of the federal Ministry of Aviation and FAAN, is in breach of Article 9.2.3.3(b)(2)(iv) of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), 2001, which stipulates that “an air operators certificate (AOC), applicant shall not use a wet leased aircraft for the commencement of its operations.”
Lamenting however that Virgin Nigeria Airways wet leased its first Airbus A320 with current registration number LZ-BHD from Balkan Holiday Airlines (BH AIR), a company based in Sofia, Bulgaria, in flagrant violation of existing regulations.
Preparations for the take off of Virgin Nigeria Airline has suffered a major setback as a federal high court in Lagos granted an order restraining the airline from commencing flight operations.
The order follows a suit filed by the Airline Operators of Nigeria. (AON), before the court on May 12, 2005 to restrain the airline from taking off pending the determination of the case on the suit.
Joined as defendants in the suit are the Ministry of Aviation, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and Virgin Nigeria Airways.
The court, having gone through the process filed in the suit, granted the applicant (AON), leave to serve the motion on notice for an order of interlocutory injunction, and fixed Tuesday May 24, 2005 as the return date for the defendants to enter their defence.
The counsel to plaintiff prayed court for an order restraining the federal ministry of aviation from issuing Air Transport Licence (ATL) to Virgin Nigeria. Also, an order restraining the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency from granting en-route start-up-permit to Virgin Nigeria was given by the court pending the determination of the suit before it.
The counsel also prayed for an order restraining the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority from issuing Air Operators Certificate (AOC) and Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO) to Virgin Nigeria pending the determination of the suit.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria was also restrained by the court from giving permission to aircraft belonging directly or indirectly to Virgin Nigeria to operate in and out of any airport in Nigeria pending the determination of the suite.
Similarly the plaintiff also prayed for an order restraining Virgin Nigeria Airways Limited from commencing flight operations in Nigeria or using any airport facilities located within Nigeria and or usage of the facilities pending the determination of the court.
The Minister of Aviation through his ministry was also restrained from giving effect to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), entered into on September 28, 2004, between the federal government of Nigeria and the owners of Virgin Atlantic Airways Limited of United Kingdom, to establish an airline, pending the determination of the suite.
In an affidavit in support of the motion filed by AON, its counsel, Dotun Abolade of Messrs Rickey Tarfa (SAN) stated that the AON efforts to increase market participation for its members in International routes led the Nigerian government to enter into some multilataral and bilateral agreements like the Yamoussoukro Decision, the Open Skies Agreement with the United States of America, the Dual Designation Agreement between U.K and Nigeria.
That other signatories into the agreements entered into by Nigeria have benefited by operating flights from their countries to Nigeria, whereas the Ministry of Aviation has frustrated all the efforts of the members of the Airlines Operators of Nigeria (AON), to operate international flights in line with the agreements entered into by Nigeria.
That under the Dual Designation Agreement between the U.K and Nigeria, the U.K government designated two airlines - British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways to operate Lagos-London routes whereas the Ministry of Aviation has failed to designate any of AON members from Nigeria to the United Kingdom.
The counsel alleged that the Ministry of Aviation recent policy statement which reserved the Lagos –London route exclusively for Virgin Nigeria for seven and a half years is wrongful and amounts to a direct violation of the federal government’s policy on liberalisation and fair competition in favour of Virgin Nigeria.
The counsel alleged further that Virgin Nigeria with active connivance of the federal Ministry of Aviation and FAAN, is in breach of Article 9.2.3.3(b)(2)(iv) of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), 2001, which stipulates that “an air operators certificate (AOC), applicant shall not use a wet leased aircraft for the commencement of its operations.”
Lamenting however that Virgin Nigeria Airways wet leased its first Airbus A320 with current registration number LZ-BHD from Balkan Holiday Airlines (BH AIR), a company based in Sofia, Bulgaria, in flagrant violation of existing regulations.
How amazing that these people are trying so hard to stop a major development in Nigerian aviation from starting. Can they not see the positive job creation that is going to happen as the airline grows?
I believe that they are incorrect in stating that to start with a wet leased aircraft is in breach of regulations as the regulations allow for a waiver to be issued by government. I cannot imagine that VGN would have entered into the wet lease arangement without such a letter.
What a sad reflection on Nigeria these people are, thank goodness many people know that there are some excellent and positive people in Nigeria as well.
I believe that they are incorrect in stating that to start with a wet leased aircraft is in breach of regulations as the regulations allow for a waiver to be issued by government. I cannot imagine that VGN would have entered into the wet lease arangement without such a letter.
What a sad reflection on Nigeria these people are, thank goodness many people know that there are some excellent and positive people in Nigeria as well.
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Under the shadow
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Surely not,
Don't even loose sleep about it. This are a bunch of crackpot jokers. They had about 20years to get their act together, they never did. They had all sorts of concessions from the gov't, they abused it. Now they want to frustrate true development. Just as you can see thru their gimmicks, so does everybody else.
They cannot stop Virgin Nigeria from taking off. Look at the composition of the said AON. Jokers and miscreants who have no interest in the development of the aviation industry. If given the rights to fly to London and New York, the sad tales will be worse than when Nigeria Airways was plying these routes.
Please ignore them, they have no credible alternative or plans to the Virgin Nigeria project.
Don't even loose sleep about it. This are a bunch of crackpot jokers. They had about 20years to get their act together, they never did. They had all sorts of concessions from the gov't, they abused it. Now they want to frustrate true development. Just as you can see thru their gimmicks, so does everybody else.
They cannot stop Virgin Nigeria from taking off. Look at the composition of the said AON. Jokers and miscreants who have no interest in the development of the aviation industry. If given the rights to fly to London and New York, the sad tales will be worse than when Nigeria Airways was plying these routes.
Please ignore them, they have no credible alternative or plans to the Virgin Nigeria project.
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: DNMM/UK
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
VN's 320 took off around 1615 local today in a southbound direction. Is this a proving flight or summat?
I think AON are goin about this thing the wrong way. Afrijet seem to found a way around the govt favoritism of national carriers. They'll be starting Lagos-Lyon(france)-london in july. Much better than grumbling and ridiculous lawsuits.
I think AON are goin about this thing the wrong way. Afrijet seem to found a way around the govt favoritism of national carriers. They'll be starting Lagos-Lyon(france)-london in july. Much better than grumbling and ridiculous lawsuits.
Join Date: May 2005
Location: ZA
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Did someone say that VGN is going to benefit tourism in Nigeria ?
Now who exactly wants to be a tourist in Nigeria ... Is this part of a new "Survivor Africa" programme. Doing business there and getting out fast is tough enough ...but to pay for the privledge out of my own funds ...I dont think so....
Perhaps this is all part of the move to adventure tourism !
Now who exactly wants to be a tourist in Nigeria ... Is this part of a new "Survivor Africa" programme. Doing business there and getting out fast is tough enough ...but to pay for the privledge out of my own funds ...I dont think so....
Perhaps this is all part of the move to adventure tourism !
Mark D not sure if I am misunderstanding you but Manston is probably around 30 mins less flying time than Stansted, and is now known somewhat pretentiously as Kent International.
Tourism to Nigeria isn't too silly an idea, it has the natural resources of a hot climate and sandy beaches. If the beaches were to be cleaned up every day as in Spanish resorts then they would be every bit as good as anywhere else in the world. So who is going to build a hotel and become rich?
Back on track, the A320 returned to Lagos at around 1940 last night and is now sitting happily back on D31
Tourism to Nigeria isn't too silly an idea, it has the natural resources of a hot climate and sandy beaches. If the beaches were to be cleaned up every day as in Spanish resorts then they would be every bit as good as anywhere else in the world. So who is going to build a hotel and become rich?
Back on track, the A320 returned to Lagos at around 1940 last night and is now sitting happily back on D31
Join Date: May 2005
Location: South Africa
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Aircrews night stopping in Lagos need a police escort between the airport and their hotel. Who the hell would consider the third most corrupt country in the world a tourist destination? The only people who should be traveling to Nigeria are all their 419 and drug dealing citizens who should return to the cesspit of their birth.
well aren't you the lucky one jbayfan to come from a country where there a no shysters or corrupt people.
I wish I could say the same but politicians like Archer, Aitken and others preclude me from saying that, and I know there are scam merchants and UK born drug dealers operating in UK as well as common criminals.
Lagos is probably the most overcrowded urban sprawl anywhere in the world and it amazes me there isn't more unrest.
As for getting tourists to the beaches I guess it would be a problem initially, but as with all problems you just look hard to find a solution.
I cannot subscribe to the notion that you just right a country off for ever and a day.
Back onto track........................ how can an Internationally respected journal such as Flight Magazine print such inaccurate rubbish about Air Atlanta suing Virgin Nigeria. Every claim made by Air Atlanta in the article is total fiction other than getting the name of the airline right!! If they have a lawyer they should be sacked for not checking their facts before leading their clients on!
I wish I could say the same but politicians like Archer, Aitken and others preclude me from saying that, and I know there are scam merchants and UK born drug dealers operating in UK as well as common criminals.
Lagos is probably the most overcrowded urban sprawl anywhere in the world and it amazes me there isn't more unrest.
As for getting tourists to the beaches I guess it would be a problem initially, but as with all problems you just look hard to find a solution.
I cannot subscribe to the notion that you just right a country off for ever and a day.
Back onto track........................ how can an Internationally respected journal such as Flight Magazine print such inaccurate rubbish about Air Atlanta suing Virgin Nigeria. Every claim made by Air Atlanta in the article is total fiction other than getting the name of the airline right!! If they have a lawyer they should be sacked for not checking their facts before leading their clients on!
Join Date: May 2005
Location: South Africa
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Surely not, yes, we do have plenty of corrupt politicians and citizens in South Africa, but we also have thousands of Nigerians infesting our country with their scams and drugs. The difference is that our government is making an effort to fight this crime and corruption, whereas the Nigerian government keeps talking but does nothing.
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The difference is that our government is making an effort to fight this crime and corruption, whereas the Nigerian government keeps talking but does nothing
but we also have thousands of Nigerians infesting our country with their scams and drugs.
AP
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: UNITED KINGDOM
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
jbayfan
Thank you for your insight about nigeria it is refreshing to know that you can turn a perfectly good website on aviation in a political arena.
Does anyone know when VA is going to start i heard about August with wet lease while at the airport can anyone confirm or hopefully refute this.............PLS.
Thank you for your insight about nigeria it is refreshing to know that you can turn a perfectly good website on aviation in a political arena.
Does anyone know when VA is going to start i heard about August with wet lease while at the airport can anyone confirm or hopefully refute this.............PLS.
Join Date: May 2005
Location: South Africa
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
the ex-police chief is being probed for corruption charges, the education minister is also under arrest for the same thing, and a couple of other high ranking officials
hundreds of thousands of South Africans came to Nigeria
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: England
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You seem very defensive jbayfan,
AP makes a valid point, you may or maynot be racist, but you are coming accross as being very ignorant about past and present issues. A lot of South Africans did come to Nigerian during the apatheid days, thats not a rumour/lie, simple fact. Yes Nigeria is a corrupt country but the fact that high profile cases are being dealt with doesn't that nullify your point about the Nigerian government not doing anything about corruption and crime???? Just my 2 kobos worth.
HappyPilot
AP makes a valid point, you may or maynot be racist, but you are coming accross as being very ignorant about past and present issues. A lot of South Africans did come to Nigerian during the apatheid days, thats not a rumour/lie, simple fact. Yes Nigeria is a corrupt country but the fact that high profile cases are being dealt with doesn't that nullify your point about the Nigerian government not doing anything about corruption and crime???? Just my 2 kobos worth.
HappyPilot