Victoria International Airlines - Uganda
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Kampala Uganda
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Victoria International Airlines - Uganda
Anybody have reliable information about Victoria international Airlines - a new airline suppossed to start in Uganda that was announced some months ago in Kampala. They were suppossed to have started in October but they have not done so and not much is heard about them. Cant even locate their offices and cannot find their contact.
Is it true that former SAA ""big boys"" are behind the airline and does anyone have reliable information how they intend to be funded?? Are they recruiting ???
Is it true that former SAA ""big boys"" are behind the airline and does anyone have reliable information how they intend to be funded?? Are they recruiting ???
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: USA
Age: 45
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Victoria International Airlines
So I heard that the inaugural flight is November 22nd. Looks like the two Boeing 737's that they are starting with will be quite busy as they have a lot of frequencies. Twice a day to Nairobi, four times a week to Juba and three times to Jo'burg. Looks like you will have one of the airplanes go to Nairobi in the morning, get back and then head to Juba, get back to EBB and then do another Nairobi run. well who knows!
Is there a website for them and how does one submit a resume for flight crew?
Later
Is there a website for them and how does one submit a resume for flight crew?
Later
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Kampala Uganda
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Victoria International Airlines
I did manage to find their website www.viauganda.com
It would seem that they are doing ACMI lease with South African crew and so it unlikely there will be any jobs here anytime soon
It would seem that they are doing ACMI lease with South African crew and so it unlikely there will be any jobs here anytime soon
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: East Africa
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
V I A in Kampala
VIA plans its inaugural flight on Tue 27th November and they are up and running with the lease of 2 737-200. I am very excited about this new development and hope it does well. Job opportunities have been forthcoming as expansion takes place in the SA Company. Good for the industry locally as it forms part of the growth in airline opportunites for SA pilots.
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: USA
Age: 45
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
VIA
No disrespect to the SA pilots, but the Ugandan government needs to take the interests of the local pilots into considerations i.e Ugandan passport holders.
So with Victoria employing all South African crew means that the company which is only partly owned by the Ugandan government is taking it's profits back home to SA.
Now get this, I applied to various startup airlines in India and I was told by every single one of them that I need to be an Indian national to get in as First Officer. Otherwise, they do have openings for foreign nationals as Captains. See this ensures that the local populace gets a piece of the pie not to mention that those young First officers are the Captains of the future. We are missing out big time and it really sucks. Uganda should have a similar arrangement so that way, the foreign captains come in and train the local FO's who are the future captains. And by the way, I am convinced there is an abundance of young trained pilots in Uganda and you just need to go out and find them. Just my two cents worth! On another note, I did my first flight in the Citaion II last week, neat stuff I tell you. I will be going back and forth between that and the King Air 200.
Later
So with Victoria employing all South African crew means that the company which is only partly owned by the Ugandan government is taking it's profits back home to SA.
Now get this, I applied to various startup airlines in India and I was told by every single one of them that I need to be an Indian national to get in as First Officer. Otherwise, they do have openings for foreign nationals as Captains. See this ensures that the local populace gets a piece of the pie not to mention that those young First officers are the Captains of the future. We are missing out big time and it really sucks. Uganda should have a similar arrangement so that way, the foreign captains come in and train the local FO's who are the future captains. And by the way, I am convinced there is an abundance of young trained pilots in Uganda and you just need to go out and find them. Just my two cents worth! On another note, I did my first flight in the Citaion II last week, neat stuff I tell you. I will be going back and forth between that and the King Air 200.
Later
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Kampala Uganda
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
VIA inaugural flight
SOME HICCUP with the inaugural flight from Entebbe to Nairobi- failed to take off because I hear the kenya authorities refused to grant them landing rights. Very disappointing if that is true as I would have expected the VIA guys would have made all the propoper arrangements for the flights in good time - Hope the kenyan authorities are not playing games to artificailly protect Kenya Airways
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: USA
Age: 45
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It is a real shame that the Kenyan authorities will resort to such unprofessionalism. That was an attempt to disrupt the inaugural flight for VIA and everyone knows it. Well, KQ might have monopoly for now, but that will not last forever and I can guarantee you that. I sincerely pray that there are more start ups that will ply that same route because the traveller will benefit in lowered cost and of course improved customer service. On my side, I am just thrilled that we now have up to six EBB-NBO round trips a day. However, we need to promote more Ugandan companies because it is a shame that all these carriers that ply EBB are foreign and thus take away all our business and profits. Later
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Nomad!
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Has anyone got an up date on the situation, have the airline managed to operate their NBO flight?
Is this just the tip of the iceberg regards problems flying to NBO are they going to get the same spoiling tactics from ATC, handling agents, fuelers, airport authorities etc?
Is this just the tip of the iceberg regards problems flying to NBO are they going to get the same spoiling tactics from ATC, handling agents, fuelers, airport authorities etc?
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Kenya
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ugflyer, Kijana sana
A quick clarification, there is no protectionism by the Kenyan authorities as its not in the interests of free trade and EAC charter.
The problem was housekeeping on the side of VIA. You don't just show up at a foreign airport one morning unannounced! They forgot to file their flight schedule with the Kenyan authorities (KCAA).
I hope that they will pay attention to "little" things like that going forward. on a different route I wonder how long they will last as they are carrying 7 to 9 pax on their flights. They will need to jack up their marketing efforts a notch higher.
The reason why most new entrants on this route fail and why KQ thrives is due to the network effect. Slightly more than 80% of KQ's traffic is connecting and not point to point.
Regards,
A quick clarification, there is no protectionism by the Kenyan authorities as its not in the interests of free trade and EAC charter.
The problem was housekeeping on the side of VIA. You don't just show up at a foreign airport one morning unannounced! They forgot to file their flight schedule with the Kenyan authorities (KCAA).
I hope that they will pay attention to "little" things like that going forward. on a different route I wonder how long they will last as they are carrying 7 to 9 pax on their flights. They will need to jack up their marketing efforts a notch higher.
The reason why most new entrants on this route fail and why KQ thrives is due to the network effect. Slightly more than 80% of KQ's traffic is connecting and not point to point.
Regards,
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Kampala Uganda
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you spydee for throwing some light on this matter!!!
If it was indeed "house- keeping" fumbling that led to the shambles of their inaugural flights - then it is inexcusable and dishonest for VIA to have created the impression that Kenyan authorities were blocking them. According to their commercial Manager in Uganda - Declan Peppard- Kenya authorities demanded a letter from the Uganda CAA which they dully obtained and presented to the authorities but the Kenya authorities were not satisfied with the ""Wording"" of the letter . I was initially puzzled when the Managing Director Of Uganda CAA said in the New Vision Newspaper late last week that it was not true that Kenya Ciivil Aviation authorites had blocked VIA but that instead the Kenya authorities had ""bent over backwards"" to accomodate VIA operations despite the fact that they had been applied for outside of the minimum 30 days required by the regulations!!!!!
This now apparently clarifies what the problem was.
I sincerely hope however this sloppy start serves to focus VIA to jack up their game because they are a very sorely needed alternative to the ""Monopolosits"" on the route and so far Hooray VIA for your pricing!!
Shape up and all I wish you is Good Luck!!!
If it was indeed "house- keeping" fumbling that led to the shambles of their inaugural flights - then it is inexcusable and dishonest for VIA to have created the impression that Kenyan authorities were blocking them. According to their commercial Manager in Uganda - Declan Peppard- Kenya authorities demanded a letter from the Uganda CAA which they dully obtained and presented to the authorities but the Kenya authorities were not satisfied with the ""Wording"" of the letter . I was initially puzzled when the Managing Director Of Uganda CAA said in the New Vision Newspaper late last week that it was not true that Kenya Ciivil Aviation authorites had blocked VIA but that instead the Kenya authorities had ""bent over backwards"" to accomodate VIA operations despite the fact that they had been applied for outside of the minimum 30 days required by the regulations!!!!!
This now apparently clarifies what the problem was.
I sincerely hope however this sloppy start serves to focus VIA to jack up their game because they are a very sorely needed alternative to the ""Monopolosits"" on the route and so far Hooray VIA for your pricing!!
Shape up and all I wish you is Good Luck!!!
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: USA
Age: 45
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"The problem was housekeeping on the side of VIA. You don't just show up at a foreign airport one morning unannounced! They forgot to file their flight schedule with the Kenyan authorities (KCAA)."
The above is an excerpt from spydee's post.
You can call me naive, but I am sure no one in their right mind would take off in a Cessna 172 and intentionally fly into IMC without an IFR flight plan filed before hand. Let alone an airline oprating heavy metal take off on it's inaugural flight without acquiring arrival slots at it's destination. So when you say that VIA did not file their flight schedule, I can tell you that is bollocks. It is like someone showing up one morning to the operating room to have heart surgery without prior appointment and pre-surgical care.
Just so you all know, the KCAA is frustrating Ethiopian Airlines' efforts to operate the EBB-NBO route as well. And not to mention what the now defunct East African Airlines went through with the same authorities. Truth be told that EBB-NBO is a very lucrative route and unfortunately, it is underserved. So the current players are very protective and reluctant to share the pie.
On another note, an all AIRBUS 320 startup is looming in the horizon and the base is supposed to be EBB.
The above is an excerpt from spydee's post.
You can call me naive, but I am sure no one in their right mind would take off in a Cessna 172 and intentionally fly into IMC without an IFR flight plan filed before hand. Let alone an airline oprating heavy metal take off on it's inaugural flight without acquiring arrival slots at it's destination. So when you say that VIA did not file their flight schedule, I can tell you that is bollocks. It is like someone showing up one morning to the operating room to have heart surgery without prior appointment and pre-surgical care.
Just so you all know, the KCAA is frustrating Ethiopian Airlines' efforts to operate the EBB-NBO route as well. And not to mention what the now defunct East African Airlines went through with the same authorities. Truth be told that EBB-NBO is a very lucrative route and unfortunately, it is underserved. So the current players are very protective and reluctant to share the pie.
On another note, an all AIRBUS 320 startup is looming in the horizon and the base is supposed to be EBB.
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Kenya
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ugflyer,
I don't want to get into a shouting match with you on this. The Ugandan authorities themselves have admitted as much that VIA did not follow the correct process, see Kijana sana's post on the same. Now there is a difference between filing flight plans, getting arrival slots and filing your flight schedule with the local CAA. They did the first two but not the third. The flight schedule is the most important of the three because without it you will not be allowed to land.
As regards ET's complaints, in my opinion this is unfounded. ET has 14 flights to NBO from ADD while KQ has only 4 a week. No problem there free trade, but when KQ applies for routing of some of its flights to Jeddah and Dubai via ADD the Ethiopian authorities decline approval. KQ is 24% owned by the Kenyan government, do you honestly believe Kenyans are fools to allow this state of affairs to prevail by giving ET even more frequencies?
East African Airlines was a sad pathetic story. How does an airline with strong political backing base its entire business plan on forcing KQ to hand to them its morning and evening frequencies and as if this was not enough demand that KQ's booked passengers on those two peak flights be transferred to them in a forced codeshare? KQ agreed to give up those 2 frequencies but naturally declined to hand over its passengers. Ugandan passengers (yes UGANDAN) refused to support this airline and patiently waited for KQ's mid day flight at great inconvenience to them until East African folded.
I think you are by your own admission "naive" on these matters.
I don't want to get into a shouting match with you on this. The Ugandan authorities themselves have admitted as much that VIA did not follow the correct process, see Kijana sana's post on the same. Now there is a difference between filing flight plans, getting arrival slots and filing your flight schedule with the local CAA. They did the first two but not the third. The flight schedule is the most important of the three because without it you will not be allowed to land.
As regards ET's complaints, in my opinion this is unfounded. ET has 14 flights to NBO from ADD while KQ has only 4 a week. No problem there free trade, but when KQ applies for routing of some of its flights to Jeddah and Dubai via ADD the Ethiopian authorities decline approval. KQ is 24% owned by the Kenyan government, do you honestly believe Kenyans are fools to allow this state of affairs to prevail by giving ET even more frequencies?
East African Airlines was a sad pathetic story. How does an airline with strong political backing base its entire business plan on forcing KQ to hand to them its morning and evening frequencies and as if this was not enough demand that KQ's booked passengers on those two peak flights be transferred to them in a forced codeshare? KQ agreed to give up those 2 frequencies but naturally declined to hand over its passengers. Ugandan passengers (yes UGANDAN) refused to support this airline and patiently waited for KQ's mid day flight at great inconvenience to them until East African folded.
I think you are by your own admission "naive" on these matters.
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: USA
Age: 45
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hey spydee,
My so called self admitted "naivety" on these matters is by no means a substitute for common sense.
My argument was based on the EBB-NBO route. However, if you have to involve the ADD-NBO route, is it fair to say that KQ is guilty of the same protectionism that ET has on the ADD-NBO route?
ET CEO in a recent interview reiterated that KQ had on numerous occasions argued that if ET plowed the NBO-EBB route, prices would go down and they (KQ) can not let that happen.
Competition is the name of the game and as nature has it, if you are at the bottom of the food chain, then tough luck. However, as the world goes around, so will everything on it. And by the way, ET has 10 frequenicies per week to NBO and not 14 as you mentioned earlier.
Fly safe fellas!
My so called self admitted "naivety" on these matters is by no means a substitute for common sense.
My argument was based on the EBB-NBO route. However, if you have to involve the ADD-NBO route, is it fair to say that KQ is guilty of the same protectionism that ET has on the ADD-NBO route?
ET CEO in a recent interview reiterated that KQ had on numerous occasions argued that if ET plowed the NBO-EBB route, prices would go down and they (KQ) can not let that happen.
Competition is the name of the game and as nature has it, if you are at the bottom of the food chain, then tough luck. However, as the world goes around, so will everything on it. And by the way, ET has 10 frequenicies per week to NBO and not 14 as you mentioned earlier.
Fly safe fellas!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Kampala Uganda
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
New A320 Operator in Entebbe?????
UgFlyer mentioned that there was yet another A320 based start up based in Entebbe in the offing. Have made some investigations on that and it seem the AGA KHAN group, after their flagship investment in the Serena Hotel in Kampala is now moving into the airline arena in as well. According to a source who was at the recent CAB hearing, the new airline , owned by the AGA KHAN group, is to be called "Meridiana" and expects to start opeartions in April 2007. The A320 are not expected in the fleet until 2008. Initially the airline will operate an F28- currently said to be based in Nairobi (Sounds veeerrrryy familiar ) Anyway, we know the AGA KHAN group have the deep pockets to do it, and the Guys have some adverts for jobs in todays papers so maybe we eventually get to fly the Airbus in good time
) Anyway, we know the AGA KHAN group have the deep pockets to do it, and the Guys have some adverts for jobs in todays papers so maybe we eventually get to fly the Airbus in good time
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: USA
Age: 45
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I wish the AGA KHAN group all the luck. I am coming to Ug sometime this January and I intend to look at the operators and their equipment. Does anyone have suggestions as to where I might look and who might be hiring? I understand flight deck jobs are scarce, but crazy things have happened. You never know!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Kampala Uganda
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Victoria - Time Out Or Out?????
This Article appeared in todays New Vision Newspapers in Uganda. Shameful Really - and I suspect stronly that we are looking at more than a ""Time out"" - more like " DOWN AND OUT"!!!
Victoria airlines suspends flights
Tuesday, 9th January, 2007 By Emmy Olaki and Emmy Allio
Victoria International Airline has suspended its flights to Juba, Nairobi and Johannesburg until further notice, barely two months after starting operations.
A company statement stated that its selling efforts were hampered by the poor performance of its distribution system. It conducts online booking via the internet.
The system was meant to keep costs down and allow the airline to offer lower fares than its competitors.
“We are extremely disappointed with the performance of our online booking device, particularly in Kenya and Uganda. As a selling tool, we have found it to be slow and travel agents are still unable to issue tickets. As a result, our projected passenger uplifts have fallen short of our expectations,” the statement read.
The company further explained that it no longer made business sense to continue flying when customers found it difficult to book a seat on the airline. ‘There is no doubt that they will choose an easier alternative.”
Over the next two weeks, the airline will evaluate the various distribution options available.
“We also must ensure the long term viability of the airline so we have taken the decision to suspend flights until we have identified a better solution.”
Victoria International airline is a joint venture between the government of Uganda, which has a 20% stake, and South African and Swiss investors.
Attempts to get a comment from investments state minister Prof. semakula Kiwanuka, were futile yesterday, as he was locked in meetings.
The airline had a rocky start after its maiden flight to Nairobi was denied landing rights by the Kenyan aviation authorities. It was cleared a week after.
This is the third attempt to start up a new flag carrier airline in Uganda.
Victoria airlines suspends flights
Tuesday, 9th January, 2007 By Emmy Olaki and Emmy Allio
Victoria International Airline has suspended its flights to Juba, Nairobi and Johannesburg until further notice, barely two months after starting operations.
A company statement stated that its selling efforts were hampered by the poor performance of its distribution system. It conducts online booking via the internet.
The system was meant to keep costs down and allow the airline to offer lower fares than its competitors.
“We are extremely disappointed with the performance of our online booking device, particularly in Kenya and Uganda. As a selling tool, we have found it to be slow and travel agents are still unable to issue tickets. As a result, our projected passenger uplifts have fallen short of our expectations,” the statement read.
The company further explained that it no longer made business sense to continue flying when customers found it difficult to book a seat on the airline. ‘There is no doubt that they will choose an easier alternative.”
Over the next two weeks, the airline will evaluate the various distribution options available.
“We also must ensure the long term viability of the airline so we have taken the decision to suspend flights until we have identified a better solution.”
Victoria International airline is a joint venture between the government of Uganda, which has a 20% stake, and South African and Swiss investors.
Attempts to get a comment from investments state minister Prof. semakula Kiwanuka, were futile yesterday, as he was locked in meetings.
The airline had a rocky start after its maiden flight to Nairobi was denied landing rights by the Kenyan aviation authorities. It was cleared a week after.
This is the third attempt to start up a new flag carrier airline in Uganda.
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Uganda
Age: 72
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In requim pace
As a resident in Uganda and free lancing over most of africa I was enjoyed with the new airline Victoria International Airlines Uganda. Of wich I found out here in pprune just out of the blue. I took some information early december, and indeed the airline was existing, and could be consulted on their website viauganda.com.
Since actually i am flying in South Africa, it was a wonderfull coeinsidence, and I decided to bring my wife and son over for the holidays, booked over the internet, and paid at their GSA here in Johannesburg. So far so good, my family came over and we were delighted with the new outfit.
On 24 of January my family had their return ticket booked, but out of circomstances we deciced for them to return earlier, so I went on the website for re-booking, and what was the happy news? a oneliner " All flights are suspended and a tel number in Uganda was given for eventual booked passengers to try to make their way back home". I phoned the GSA in Jo-burg and indeed, the airline was no more, in Uganda no solution for the return, Happy New year VICTORIA INTERNATIONAL.
Since actually i am flying in South Africa, it was a wonderfull coeinsidence, and I decided to bring my wife and son over for the holidays, booked over the internet, and paid at their GSA here in Johannesburg. So far so good, my family came over and we were delighted with the new outfit.
On 24 of January my family had their return ticket booked, but out of circomstances we deciced for them to return earlier, so I went on the website for re-booking, and what was the happy news? a oneliner " All flights are suspended and a tel number in Uganda was given for eventual booked passengers to try to make their way back home". I phoned the GSA in Jo-burg and indeed, the airline was no more, in Uganda no solution for the return, Happy New year VICTORIA INTERNATIONAL.
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Uganda
Age: 72
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Victoria International Airlines Uganda is no more!
I would recomend all passengers whom have booked on Victoria International Airlines Uganda to go on their website www.viauganda.com, a little surprice might be waiting for you.