South African Airlink - What are their future plans?
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[quote]SA's Air Link Defends Deal With Flywell
Zimbabwe Independent (Harare)
January 4, 2002
Posted to the web January 4, 2002
Dumisani Muleya
SOUTH African Air Link chief executive Rodger Foster has defended his company's controversial project with Zimbabwe's Flywell Airlines which has provoked a fierce row among local aviation players.
Foster has denied being pushed by Transport and Communications minister Swithun Mombeshora into the deal, saying his company freely decided on its partner without political pressure. He said business considerations took precedence in his company's decision-making process.
"We went through an intricate process and eventually chose Flywell for good reasons," he said. "We are very proud and pleased with them."
Foster said there were local aviation executives hawking "malicious and sour-grapes stories" about the money-spinning deal.
Asked whether his recent meeting with Mombeshora in Harare could have influenced the arrangement in any way, Foster insisted: "Not at all."
Last month a consortium comprising Leo Mugabe, Sobusa Gula-Ndebele and his brother Evans accused Mombeshora of hijacking their project and handing it over to Flywell, which is run locally by Forbes Magadu and former Air Zimbabwe captain Eric Mataba.
Evans Ndebele described the deal as "corrupt" but Mombeshora rejected the accusations.
The airline project saga, which initially generated a flurry of responses from local players, took a new twist just before Christmas after another company, Sol Aviation, laid claim to the lucrative deal, saying the Mugabe-Ndebele group had hijacked its project.
Sol Aviation managing director Nkosilathi Sibanda accused the former Zimbabwe Express Airlines executives of masquerading as his company's representatives and intercepting his project.
Foster said South African Air Link chose Flywell, currently trading as Air Link Zimbabwe, ahead of the Mugabe-led group - which was also due to be called Air Link Zimbabwe - because it offered a better proposal.
"We did not choose the Ndebele brothers because we chose Flywell. I can't disclose the reasons," he said. "We did not sign a memorandum of understanding with Sol Aviation because its shareholding could not be clarified in time but I have high regard for Sibanda."
Foster dismissed claims that Flywell was a "briefcase company" for South African Air Link
<hr></blockquote>
Zimbabwe Independent (Harare)
January 4, 2002
Posted to the web January 4, 2002
Dumisani Muleya
SOUTH African Air Link chief executive Rodger Foster has defended his company's controversial project with Zimbabwe's Flywell Airlines which has provoked a fierce row among local aviation players.
Foster has denied being pushed by Transport and Communications minister Swithun Mombeshora into the deal, saying his company freely decided on its partner without political pressure. He said business considerations took precedence in his company's decision-making process.
"We went through an intricate process and eventually chose Flywell for good reasons," he said. "We are very proud and pleased with them."
Foster said there were local aviation executives hawking "malicious and sour-grapes stories" about the money-spinning deal.
Asked whether his recent meeting with Mombeshora in Harare could have influenced the arrangement in any way, Foster insisted: "Not at all."
Last month a consortium comprising Leo Mugabe, Sobusa Gula-Ndebele and his brother Evans accused Mombeshora of hijacking their project and handing it over to Flywell, which is run locally by Forbes Magadu and former Air Zimbabwe captain Eric Mataba.
Evans Ndebele described the deal as "corrupt" but Mombeshora rejected the accusations.
The airline project saga, which initially generated a flurry of responses from local players, took a new twist just before Christmas after another company, Sol Aviation, laid claim to the lucrative deal, saying the Mugabe-Ndebele group had hijacked its project.
Sol Aviation managing director Nkosilathi Sibanda accused the former Zimbabwe Express Airlines executives of masquerading as his company's representatives and intercepting his project.
Foster said South African Air Link chose Flywell, currently trading as Air Link Zimbabwe, ahead of the Mugabe-led group - which was also due to be called Air Link Zimbabwe - because it offered a better proposal.
"We did not choose the Ndebele brothers because we chose Flywell. I can't disclose the reasons," he said. "We did not sign a memorandum of understanding with Sol Aviation because its shareholding could not be clarified in time but I have high regard for Sibanda."
Foster dismissed claims that Flywell was a "briefcase company" for South African Air Link
<hr></blockquote>
Paxing All Over The World
I have just worked my through the entire thread, as I was in ZA at the time it started and too busy drinking ludicrously cheap booze to bother reading news! <img src="tongue.gif" border="0">
Naturally I cannot add anything to the political and business speculation but a couple of small points.
As I commented in another thread in this forum, six or eight domestic airlines do not stand a hope of individual survival. In my view, whether or not SAX and Link will make a good match is going to be ignored and the match will be made, so folks had better start not minding!
NLP: I gather that the operation, apart from only using the water/meth capable J41s, captains have to be specially trained for the site. Not least is that the centre line has to be taken literally, there being only some few inches either side of the main gear to the edge of the tarmac. Only captains thus trained may operate into and out of NLP. FOs may operate the sector but not the landing or departure.
Link used to operate this sector with the Do228, which had a lot more lee way. Before them was the old Magnum with the Fairchild Metroliner.
Farming incident at CPT: I stand to be corrected on this.
Once the nosewheel had gone off road, the brave captain felt that, since he had driven in - he could drive out! The main gear were still on the taxiway and he applied thrust ... apparently the 135 responded enthusiastically and the front gear did indeed move forward but the tyre found the mud rather to it's liking and decided to stay behind.
This further compromised the gear and it had to be inspected by Embr. As I say, I stand to be corrected. Actually, I'd rather sit whilst someone brings me an Oude Meester and Coke.
Naturally I cannot add anything to the political and business speculation but a couple of small points.
As I commented in another thread in this forum, six or eight domestic airlines do not stand a hope of individual survival. In my view, whether or not SAX and Link will make a good match is going to be ignored and the match will be made, so folks had better start not minding!
NLP: I gather that the operation, apart from only using the water/meth capable J41s, captains have to be specially trained for the site. Not least is that the centre line has to be taken literally, there being only some few inches either side of the main gear to the edge of the tarmac. Only captains thus trained may operate into and out of NLP. FOs may operate the sector but not the landing or departure.
Link used to operate this sector with the Do228, which had a lot more lee way. Before them was the old Magnum with the Fairchild Metroliner.
Farming incident at CPT: I stand to be corrected on this.
Once the nosewheel had gone off road, the brave captain felt that, since he had driven in - he could drive out! The main gear were still on the taxiway and he applied thrust ... apparently the 135 responded enthusiastically and the front gear did indeed move forward but the tyre found the mud rather to it's liking and decided to stay behind.
This further compromised the gear and it had to be inspected by Embr. As I say, I stand to be corrected. Actually, I'd rather sit whilst someone brings me an Oude Meester and Coke.
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Bae 146,
I have battled up the ladder, trying to get experience - also had my fair share of "Dear Mr......, thank you for your interest, however, unfortunately...." letters.
I started flying about 14 years ago. I had some 1700hrs when I got my first airline job, having built the hours through instruction. For the aspiring pilots, I can really recommend this route. Any other route requires heaps of luck or contacts.
I gather from your profile that you are working towards a career in aviation. I can say this- it is not easy, but it is definitely worth the effort at the end of the day. It takes getting used to dealing with rejection, time and time again, but it teaches you not to leave your future in the hands of fate.
Good luck
<img src="smile.gif" border="0">
I have battled up the ladder, trying to get experience - also had my fair share of "Dear Mr......, thank you for your interest, however, unfortunately...." letters.
I started flying about 14 years ago. I had some 1700hrs when I got my first airline job, having built the hours through instruction. For the aspiring pilots, I can really recommend this route. Any other route requires heaps of luck or contacts.
I gather from your profile that you are working towards a career in aviation. I can say this- it is not easy, but it is definitely worth the effort at the end of the day. It takes getting used to dealing with rejection, time and time again, but it teaches you not to leave your future in the hands of fate.
Good luck
<img src="smile.gif" border="0">
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Hey THere !!
Thanx alot for the info 4g . With regards to my self ...im working towards my COmm . Just finished my Night Rating . I have approx. 85 hours . WIll be starting Comm groundschool in Feb . Im training down in dbn at Natal Flight Centre .
In your reply you mentioned that u got ure first airline job with 1700 hrs . Was that with just instruction time or did u have any turbine time ??
thanx
Thanx alot for the info 4g . With regards to my self ...im working towards my COmm . Just finished my Night Rating . I have approx. 85 hours . WIll be starting Comm groundschool in Feb . Im training down in dbn at Natal Flight Centre .
In your reply you mentioned that u got ure first airline job with 1700 hrs . Was that with just instruction time or did u have any turbine time ??
thanx
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4g, 146 would you mind continuing your blossoming friendship on email. Unless, of course you've got something to say about SA Airlink (the topic of this thread), that is.
