Lost virginity: Virgin Nigeria to rename the brand
Actually NIJASEA I think the correct phrase is 'he came, he saw, and he was royally F@C&ED by Nigeria'
As some will remember for a little while I was a part of VK in its early days. It didn't help that the London route which was due to start after 6 months of operations suddenly beacame a 'start this route now or don't start'. With little option the route was hastily started and to no ones real surprise it struggled without the proper pre launch marketing.
There are many other politically instigated blocks and changes that have happened since then, seemingly designed to hamper VK's growth. This thread details many of them. Aviation ministers with no knowledge of aviation deliberately hampering VK. So it can be little surprise that seeing his hand of friendship and development being chewed up, Branson has decided enough is enough.
There are many good Nigerians working in VK since the start, and a few who thought they were better than they were. I wish all of them well and I hope they survive and grow to be the airline Nigerians can be proud of.
I was lucky to see many different regions of Nigeria, and I have made friendships that will last for life, but when I see the gloating of some on here about the struggles of VK I feel saddened at their small mindedness.
Rise above the bitterness guys and aim for a strong, reliable and safe airline industry in your country.
As some will remember for a little while I was a part of VK in its early days. It didn't help that the London route which was due to start after 6 months of operations suddenly beacame a 'start this route now or don't start'. With little option the route was hastily started and to no ones real surprise it struggled without the proper pre launch marketing.
There are many other politically instigated blocks and changes that have happened since then, seemingly designed to hamper VK's growth. This thread details many of them. Aviation ministers with no knowledge of aviation deliberately hampering VK. So it can be little surprise that seeing his hand of friendship and development being chewed up, Branson has decided enough is enough.
There are many good Nigerians working in VK since the start, and a few who thought they were better than they were. I wish all of them well and I hope they survive and grow to be the airline Nigerians can be proud of.
I was lucky to see many different regions of Nigeria, and I have made friendships that will last for life, but when I see the gloating of some on here about the struggles of VK I feel saddened at their small mindedness.
Rise above the bitterness guys and aim for a strong, reliable and safe airline industry in your country.
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FG Wades into Virgin Nigeria Equity Crisis
What i dont understand is why the shift of policy on the Govt's part.The FG contributed to VKs woes..I believe this is too late
THISDAY ONLINE / Nigeria news / African views on global news
The Federal government yesterday intervened in the protracted investment crisis rocking the Virgin Nigeria Airways Group by offering to broker an amicable resolution of the disagreement between its management and the British partner, Virgin Atlantic.
The government, while urging the two parties to move quickly to end their rift, warned that the dissolution of the partnership deal might have serious implications on the business operations of Virgin Atlantic in Nigeria.
Minister of Aviation, Mr. Babatunde Omotoba, who explained government’s action at a meeting in Abuja with the World Bank Task Team on the implementation of the West and Central Africa Air Transport Safety and Security Programme (WCAATSSP), said government’s position is that no Nigerian airline must be allowed to go down because of the adverse implication it will have on the economy.
“I can confirm to you that federal government has a position on the issues between Virgin Nigeria and Virgin Atlantic. Last week when I was in London, I had a very long meeting with Virgin Atlantic and even before then, I also had a meeting with Virgin Nigeria here in Abuja. I can tell you that government’s position is that it must not allow any airline to go under.
“We have told Virgin Atlantic that the concessions given to it in Nigeria was because they were coming to partner to form Virgin Nigeria and therefore anything that happens between the two of them will have serious implications for Virgin Atlantic,” Omotoba said.
The Minister said there was every reason to believe that the matter would soon be resolved and that the company would forge ahead with business.
“We have directed them to resolve the issues among themselves and very sure that at the very high level they are resolving the issues and very soon this will be made public. Government does not really want the airline to go down and also do not want Nigerian investors to loose their money and that is the position we have taken.
“We would however put our hands in any commercial agreement between the two parties. We are just looking at the impact it would have on Nigerian economy if we allow an airline to go down and its employees laid off,” the minister further expl-ained.
The investment romance between Virgin Nigeria and Virgin Atlantic of United Kingdom, owned by the British businessman, Mr. Richard Branson, recently ran into a hitch when the latter decided to pull-out its $25m investment representing the 49 per cent equity in the Nigerian company.
Omotoba said the decision to wade into the issue between Virgin Nigeria and VAL was due to the achievements the Nigerian company has recorded since it began operations, especially the confidence it generated among air passengers.
“We also believe that Virgin Nigeria is a very good airline with a lot of certifications similar to every other international airline all over the world. Many investors when they come to Nigeria want to look for Virgin Nigeria to fly and we do not want it to fail or go out of existence. We have directed them to resolve their differences and I can assure you that they are working very closely to resolve the issues between the two of them,” he said.
The government, while urging the two parties to move quickly to end their rift, warned that the dissolution of the partnership deal might have serious implications on the business operations of Virgin Atlantic in Nigeria.
Minister of Aviation, Mr. Babatunde Omotoba, who explained government’s action at a meeting in Abuja with the World Bank Task Team on the implementation of the West and Central Africa Air Transport Safety and Security Programme (WCAATSSP), said government’s position is that no Nigerian airline must be allowed to go down because of the adverse implication it will have on the economy.
“I can confirm to you that federal government has a position on the issues between Virgin Nigeria and Virgin Atlantic. Last week when I was in London, I had a very long meeting with Virgin Atlantic and even before then, I also had a meeting with Virgin Nigeria here in Abuja. I can tell you that government’s position is that it must not allow any airline to go under.
“We have told Virgin Atlantic that the concessions given to it in Nigeria was because they were coming to partner to form Virgin Nigeria and therefore anything that happens between the two of them will have serious implications for Virgin Atlantic,” Omotoba said.
The Minister said there was every reason to believe that the matter would soon be resolved and that the company would forge ahead with business.
“We have directed them to resolve the issues among themselves and very sure that at the very high level they are resolving the issues and very soon this will be made public. Government does not really want the airline to go down and also do not want Nigerian investors to loose their money and that is the position we have taken.
“We would however put our hands in any commercial agreement between the two parties. We are just looking at the impact it would have on Nigerian economy if we allow an airline to go down and its employees laid off,” the minister further expl-ained.
The investment romance between Virgin Nigeria and Virgin Atlantic of United Kingdom, owned by the British businessman, Mr. Richard Branson, recently ran into a hitch when the latter decided to pull-out its $25m investment representing the 49 per cent equity in the Nigerian company.
Omotoba said the decision to wade into the issue between Virgin Nigeria and VAL was due to the achievements the Nigerian company has recorded since it began operations, especially the confidence it generated among air passengers.
“We also believe that Virgin Nigeria is a very good airline with a lot of certifications similar to every other international airline all over the world. Many investors when they come to Nigeria want to look for Virgin Nigeria to fly and we do not want it to fail or go out of existence. We have directed them to resolve their differences and I can assure you that they are working very closely to resolve the issues between the two of them,” he said.
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FG In The Fray
We saw this a long Time ago,The Real Mcoys will soon be unmasked wetin concern FG with Private company business?,How come FG is so quickly interested in VIRGIN?what happened to DUNLOP?MICHELIN?TEXTILES? and all the other Companies Going under Becos of FG ?I beg Dog na Dog Monkey na Monkey, money na money,Wind go soon Blow and We shall See clearly All The Deceit.Branson Should name dem,All the bad people Dem,Or We go Help am,I beg Good Riddance to Bad Rubbish.Eishhhhhhhhh
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As someone mentioned, the minister probably got involved to protect special interests investments. Did they not see this coming when VK was continuously intimidated & bullied? All the better.
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Vk Must Stay
VK brought standard to the industry in Naija and should remain no matter the nomenclature. If VK goes, I fera we go back to those odd days in our aviation history....they have been the yardstick since 2005.
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Standards?CRAP
@Atedo,if I read you right about standards?IF not for mismanagement what Airline in Naija today can boast of the Standards of WT?please dont go there,I think you are suffering from Colomentality which only sees White As GOOD AND black bad.Please dont venture in uncharted waters If you have nothing to say.STANDARDS indeed
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Vk Must Stay
Jag You cannot take away what value VK added to this industry. Yes WT did a lot to build the industry in Naija. It is not a white or black thing. I am a firm supporter of the whites leaving VK, they are also part of VK probs due over 'enjoyment'.
Where airlines observing work and rest for flight deck before now? What was our civil aviation oversight like? There have been a lot improvement in the industry since the coming of VK, take it or leave it.
I still remember when ground staff lift fuel (PMS) in cans from city to city when there is scarcity. This is loaded in the hold. My brother it was terrible. Some airlines have 05 pax in the cockpit in the cockpit when you have full load. Jag make enquiries.....
Where airlines observing work and rest for flight deck before now? What was our civil aviation oversight like? There have been a lot improvement in the industry since the coming of VK, take it or leave it.
I still remember when ground staff lift fuel (PMS) in cans from city to city when there is scarcity. This is loaded in the hold. My brother it was terrible. Some airlines have 05 pax in the cockpit in the cockpit when you have full load. Jag make enquiries.....
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Chaps
Wise up VK is a small airline in a cr@ppy African country. Nothing here in Africa is forever, too many folks on the take to make anything in Nigeria permanent.
I don’t give a dam about VK any more as long as my mates don’t get shafted by the eft in charge in that cr@p hole. Time for everyone to move on, Lagos is just a distant nightmare now.
When the market turns (and it will) those left behind in Lagos will rue the fact that that is the best they could do. There is far far more to flying in Africa than Lagos-Nigeria, so guys look a bit further afield.
Cheers
FP
Wise up VK is a small airline in a cr@ppy African country. Nothing here in Africa is forever, too many folks on the take to make anything in Nigeria permanent.
I don’t give a dam about VK any more as long as my mates don’t get shafted by the
eft in charge in that cr@p hole. Time for everyone to move on, Lagos is just a distant nightmare now.When the market turns (and it will) those left behind in Lagos will rue the fact that that is the best they could do. There is far far more to flying in Africa than Lagos-Nigeria, so guys look a bit further afield.
Cheers
FP
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i concour flying whatever you call yourself, you are holding on to some real bad-belle...... grow up and move on. NIgeria is not for everyone as any other place in the world.
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Is There Any Truth To The Rumour,that Vk Salary Payments Are Not Being Made,as And When Due,and In Some Cases Are A Month Or Months Late?heard This From A Mate,and I Just Want To Clarify From This Forum Pls,no Harm Intended.
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AVSEC yup it does appear they pay late,but not months, 1-3weeks late,depending on hierachy,jnr staff get paid almost on time,those with the big bucks often as long as three weeks late.
tough times for everyone i guess,but disgraceful for VK.
!
just had a job offer ,only to find out that the company was owing three months salary
.seems aero/arik are the only ones getting paid on time.
tough times for everyone i guess,but disgraceful for VK.
!just had a job offer ,only to find out that the company was owing three months salary
.seems aero/arik are the only ones getting paid on time.
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many businesses are paying late now. But what do you prefer, delayed payment or non payment?
VK have been consistent in delayed payment in the last 6 months, paying staff between 10 and 15 of the next month. from my little knowledge of statistics, if your payment falls between this period every other month, is it not same 30 days?
VK have been consistent in delayed payment in the last 6 months, paying staff between 10 and 15 of the next month. from my little knowledge of statistics, if your payment falls between this period every other month, is it not same 30 days?
