Nigeria Airways banned from UK on safety grounds
Guest
Posts: n/a
Nigeria Airways banned from UK on safety grounds
From Air & Business Travel News:
NIGERIA AIRWAYS failed to make its 16 August deadline for the introduction of services between London-Heathrow and Lagos following UK's Department of Transport, Local Government and Regions (DTLR) blocking plans on safety grounds. Subsequently aviation minister Mrs Kema Chikwe sacked the airline's managing director Yomi Jones when she discovered that the carrier had planned to use a Boeing 747 wet leased in from Djibouti. Virgin Airways, new to the route, has helped out with extra flights.
====
Nice to see that that corrupt imbecile Yomi Jones has at last been given the boot - perhaps now some 'proper' management might finally be put in to WT.
NIGERIA AIRWAYS failed to make its 16 August deadline for the introduction of services between London-Heathrow and Lagos following UK's Department of Transport, Local Government and Regions (DTLR) blocking plans on safety grounds. Subsequently aviation minister Mrs Kema Chikwe sacked the airline's managing director Yomi Jones when she discovered that the carrier had planned to use a Boeing 747 wet leased in from Djibouti. Virgin Airways, new to the route, has helped out with extra flights.
====
Nice to see that that corrupt imbecile Yomi Jones has at last been given the boot - perhaps now some 'proper' management might finally be put in to WT.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Dear oh dear, you calling someone else a "corrupt imbecile"! And I hope you don't consider yourself to fall into the class of "'proper' management "! 
I still can't stop laughing after your claims on airliners.net that you were a B707 captain, flying illegal weapons smuggling flights into Yugoslavia!
I still can't stop laughing after your claims on airliners.net that you were a B707 captain, flying illegal weapons smuggling flights into Yugoslavia!
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
After hearing about the humiliation of the carrier on Aug 16 at London Heathrow, I believe the liquidation of this money blackhole is the only option! This so-called airline is beyond hope. Its reputation, aircraft, and staff morale have all gone down the drain. Mr. Obasanjo
refuses to assume the debts and slaped IFC in the face by ditching all of their recommendations.
The only logical course of action is to liquidate the airline and launch another national airline from scratch, in which government can retain an initial 40% stake.
I also strongly suggest that the ministry of aviation stop wasting Nigerian resources and designating a private carrier on the LHR route with immediate effect. Kabo didn't purchase 4 B747s just for the Hajj
Hani
refuses to assume the debts and slaped IFC in the face by ditching all of their recommendations.
The only logical course of action is to liquidate the airline and launch another national airline from scratch, in which government can retain an initial 40% stake.
I also strongly suggest that the ministry of aviation stop wasting Nigerian resources and designating a private carrier on the LHR route with immediate effect. Kabo didn't purchase 4 B747s just for the Hajj
Hani
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: LHR
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hani,
Kabo probably doesn't know why he bought four more B747s. The man has ambition but no infrastructure, no commitment and very little idea of what he's doing. Just ask any of the US crew who had the misfortune to fly this year's Hajj for him.
I've spent a fair amount of time in Nigeria and other West African countries and there are good reasons why they probably won't get it together enough to put a decent airline together.
While the money is clearly there in Nigeria, the commitment isn't. The vast majority of Nigerian wealth is concentrated outside of Nigeria. Given the perceived instability of the region no-one is interested in making medium or long term investments. The guys I've met like the idea of buying an aircraft, having an airline and making the money they see BA making but they never want to invest in infrastructure or even maintenance.
If you're ever in Lagos, go buy yourself a ticket to Kano on Kabo Air. Walk out to the BAC1-11 and take a good look at it then ask yourself if you really want to get on it and go flying.
Rumour has it that when a certain Nigerian airline owner's private BAC arrived in Southend last month for a C-Check it landed after a six hour flight with less than 300 lbs of fuel on board.
[ 25 August 2001: Message edited by: B747wideboy ]
Kabo probably doesn't know why he bought four more B747s. The man has ambition but no infrastructure, no commitment and very little idea of what he's doing. Just ask any of the US crew who had the misfortune to fly this year's Hajj for him.
I've spent a fair amount of time in Nigeria and other West African countries and there are good reasons why they probably won't get it together enough to put a decent airline together.
While the money is clearly there in Nigeria, the commitment isn't. The vast majority of Nigerian wealth is concentrated outside of Nigeria. Given the perceived instability of the region no-one is interested in making medium or long term investments. The guys I've met like the idea of buying an aircraft, having an airline and making the money they see BA making but they never want to invest in infrastructure or even maintenance.
If you're ever in Lagos, go buy yourself a ticket to Kano on Kabo Air. Walk out to the BAC1-11 and take a good look at it then ask yourself if you really want to get on it and go flying.
Rumour has it that when a certain Nigerian airline owner's private BAC arrived in Southend last month for a C-Check it landed after a six hour flight with less than 300 lbs of fuel on board.
[ 25 August 2001: Message edited by: B747wideboy ]
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: London,Bucharest...wherever...
Posts: 1,014
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
747widebody - that is the best and most accurate description I have seen from anyone about Kabo, you obviously saw it for what it really is - he is not a serious operator and his infrastructure/processes are a joke...
The 'rumour' is that the 2 VS Jumbos were actually purchased with money belonging to the Nigerian Vice President...
The 'rumour' is that the 2 VS Jumbos were actually purchased with money belonging to the Nigerian Vice President...
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Can you confirm that Kabo Air owns a maintenance facility in Jos and actually performed maintenance upto C-check for its Boeing 727-200 and 1-11 fleets? This was alleged by Aviation and Allied Business Journal. I find it difficult to believe a person with a minum level of common sense would spend at least $25m on a B747 fleet which has no planned use. Also I question the allegation that Vice President Atiku financed the transaction. The US Exim bank granted Kabo Air a significant amount of money in 1999 in order to develop the aviation industry perhaps here is where Kabo wants to spend it.
Although I am optimistic about Mr. Dan Kabo's plans for his airline and the Nigerian aviation industry in the democratic era, I have serious doubts about the level of professionalism required to achieve any of its goels. For example:
1- Kabo Air is still banned in Europe over maintenance lapses.
2- Kabo does not have a dedicated IATA code and its flight schedules do not appear in OAG.
3- Kabo has never sustained any scheduled international route outside the Hajj operation.
I look at other operators for hope. They include Bellview Airlines (although financially crippled with its A300-600 reposessed by Anssett Leasing). ADC Airlines which have a lot of trained people but too much liability accruing from the 1996 crash of 727 5N-BBG.
I wonder why haven't any European carrier expressed interest in a Nigerian franchise? The technology transfer and equity partnership would surely bring some sanity to the sector.
Hani
Although I am optimistic about Mr. Dan Kabo's plans for his airline and the Nigerian aviation industry in the democratic era, I have serious doubts about the level of professionalism required to achieve any of its goels. For example:
1- Kabo Air is still banned in Europe over maintenance lapses.
2- Kabo does not have a dedicated IATA code and its flight schedules do not appear in OAG.
3- Kabo has never sustained any scheduled international route outside the Hajj operation.
I look at other operators for hope. They include Bellview Airlines (although financially crippled with its A300-600 reposessed by Anssett Leasing). ADC Airlines which have a lot of trained people but too much liability accruing from the 1996 crash of 727 5N-BBG.
I wonder why haven't any European carrier expressed interest in a Nigerian franchise? The technology transfer and equity partnership would surely bring some sanity to the sector.
Hani
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: LHR
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Kabo does have a maintenance facility in Jos which did at one time have the ability to perform maintenance up to C-check. However like every other aspect of the company it's been steadily run down through lack of investment.
As for the planned use of the B747 fleet, the extent of the planning seems to have been "once I buy these lovely airplanes, surely someone will let me fly them..." There really isn't much beyond that. Kabo would like to operate to the UK as designated carrier for Nigeria, but it is highly doubtful that he has the resources or intent to invest sufficiently in training or infrastructure to do this. Also, be advised that USD25M is a very high estimate of what the fleet cost!
The tragedy is that not just Nigeria but the entire region of West Africa is severely underserved by credible airlines. A network linking a Lagos hub to one or two destinations in Europe and a few more around the region operated to JAA or FAA standards could be a money-spinner, but again I would re-state my opinion that no private enterprise in Nigeria has the will to do this properly.
As for the planned use of the B747 fleet, the extent of the planning seems to have been "once I buy these lovely airplanes, surely someone will let me fly them..." There really isn't much beyond that. Kabo would like to operate to the UK as designated carrier for Nigeria, but it is highly doubtful that he has the resources or intent to invest sufficiently in training or infrastructure to do this. Also, be advised that USD25M is a very high estimate of what the fleet cost!
The tragedy is that not just Nigeria but the entire region of West Africa is severely underserved by credible airlines. A network linking a Lagos hub to one or two destinations in Europe and a few more around the region operated to JAA or FAA standards could be a money-spinner, but again I would re-state my opinion that no private enterprise in Nigeria has the will to do this properly.
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: London,Bucharest...wherever...
Posts: 1,014
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Back in the early 90's a plan to create a new joint owned carrier was completed by the then MD of Nigeria Airways, Capt. Mohammed Joji - the new carrier 'Air Nigeria' was to be a joint venture with Swissair using the their money and technical/sales infrastructure...this was all agreed and ready to go...Capt. Joji was then ousted in a politically motivated scenario...need we say more...
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: LHR
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There are plenty of people in Nigeria with the money to part finance such an operation. The problem is that those particular Nigerian folk, unlike the vast (and incredibly poor) harworking and honest majority, are so unbelievably and monumentally corrupt that no sane person would go into business with them. Catch-22.
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Airways may sack 700 staff as condition for loan
From FRANCIS AYIGBE, Lagos
New NIGERIAN September 7
RETRENCHMENT fever now grips over 2,000 workers of national carrier, Nigeria Airways following the decision of management of the airline to downsize its workforce as a condition to secure a loan for its operation.
Sources said in Lagos Wednesday that EXIM Bank, from which the loan is being sourced, insist that the workforce of the airline must be reduced to manage the two aircraft currently in the carrier's fleet (2 Boeing 737-200). Beside the bank's criteria for releasing the loan, the ministerial committee set up to review the staff strength of the airline has also written to the management, asking for departmental nominations of those to go. Unconfirmed sources put the figure of staff to be sacked at 700.
Staff of the airline were spotted discussing in groups over the developments, thereby paralysing work for several hours Wednesday. The fear of possible job loss became pronounced following the directive of the Acting Chief Executive Mr. Jonathan Jiya to directors for a list of those in various departments described as "unfit for the new vision of the airline."
Union executive of the airline insist that if retrenchment is inevitable, the Federal Government should release funds to pay disengaged workers. Minister of Aviation Dr. Kema Chikwe had told union executives in Abuja that workers will be laid off following what she described as inevitable exercise meant to align government's desire to reform the aviation sector.
She said large scale corruption and gross indiscipline were being perpetuated by the staff of Nigeria Airways and Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). Dr. Chikwe said since the removal of some top officials of the Airways and FAAN, she had been abused and blackmailed instead of "explaining the contentious issues that cost them their jobs."
According to her, "as an agent of reform, championed by President Olusegun Obasanjo, I am undaunted by such cheap blackmail, even as I know that we will continue to step on toes over the on-going exercise."
From FRANCIS AYIGBE, Lagos
New NIGERIAN September 7
RETRENCHMENT fever now grips over 2,000 workers of national carrier, Nigeria Airways following the decision of management of the airline to downsize its workforce as a condition to secure a loan for its operation.
Sources said in Lagos Wednesday that EXIM Bank, from which the loan is being sourced, insist that the workforce of the airline must be reduced to manage the two aircraft currently in the carrier's fleet (2 Boeing 737-200). Beside the bank's criteria for releasing the loan, the ministerial committee set up to review the staff strength of the airline has also written to the management, asking for departmental nominations of those to go. Unconfirmed sources put the figure of staff to be sacked at 700.
Staff of the airline were spotted discussing in groups over the developments, thereby paralysing work for several hours Wednesday. The fear of possible job loss became pronounced following the directive of the Acting Chief Executive Mr. Jonathan Jiya to directors for a list of those in various departments described as "unfit for the new vision of the airline."
Union executive of the airline insist that if retrenchment is inevitable, the Federal Government should release funds to pay disengaged workers. Minister of Aviation Dr. Kema Chikwe had told union executives in Abuja that workers will be laid off following what she described as inevitable exercise meant to align government's desire to reform the aviation sector.
She said large scale corruption and gross indiscipline were being perpetuated by the staff of Nigeria Airways and Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). Dr. Chikwe said since the removal of some top officials of the Airways and FAAN, she had been abused and blackmailed instead of "explaining the contentious issues that cost them their jobs."
According to her, "as an agent of reform, championed by President Olusegun Obasanjo, I am undaunted by such cheap blackmail, even as I know that we will continue to step on toes over the on-going exercise."
