Airworthiness in Nigeria
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Airworthiness in Nigeria
I have recently been asked by potential lessees of my 2 B747 aircraft to reregister them in Nigeria. What are the general feelings of security and oversight capabilities.
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Surely you're joking! Have a look at the Max Air thread. Also do a web search for "Ansaru" and "Boko Haram" and then read the news stories in the Guardian and Punch Nigerian online newspapers concerning the Ministry of Aviation, the NCAA and all the security problems in the north. The current aviation regulatory environment in Nigeria is a joke and it's not likely to improve anytime soon. This time of year anyone wanting to lease 747s in Nigeria is going to be doing Umrah and/or Hajj. Most of these flights are from the north and that's where "emergency rule" and all of the problems are!
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Never, under any circumstances, register an aircraft in the lessors country.
If they fail to pay or if there are any other problems you will have no way of repossessing the aircraft. Nigeria has a VERY bad reputation for this.
Always keep the aircraft registered in a reputable country, registering an aircraft in a country which does not have a good CAA oversight (such as nigeria) will damage the resale value of the aircraft as buyers cannot have confidence that it has been properly maintained and operated.
If the aircraft is registered in your own country (South Africa ?) you have control and your lawyers are on the winning side. Do you really want to have to work via foriegn lawyers in a country where corruption is rife ?.
If they fail to pay or if there are any other problems you will have no way of repossessing the aircraft. Nigeria has a VERY bad reputation for this.
Always keep the aircraft registered in a reputable country, registering an aircraft in a country which does not have a good CAA oversight (such as nigeria) will damage the resale value of the aircraft as buyers cannot have confidence that it has been properly maintained and operated.
If the aircraft is registered in your own country (South Africa ?) you have control and your lawyers are on the winning side. Do you really want to have to work via foriegn lawyers in a country where corruption is rife ?.
Last edited by The Ancient Geek; 26th May 2013 at 01:09. Reason: Speeling mistrakes
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Thanks for the warning, it is what is suspected. I was wondering whether anyone had an actual experience to support my position with the lessor - Mardoof
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The only way to avoid being ripped off is to offer wet charter flights with your own aircrew CASH IN ADVANCE. No cleared funds, no fly. Let them provide only the trolley dollies and the halal catering. And beware of overloading.
Too many people have lost their shirts providing short term leases to nigerian operators for the Haaj. Someone gets burned every year, often several.
Too many people have lost their shirts providing short term leases to nigerian operators for the Haaj. Someone gets burned every year, often several.
Last edited by The Ancient Geek; 26th May 2013 at 16:39.
There is a good reason you never see the words "airworthiness" and "Nigeria" used in the same sentence......
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Mardoof
I have a few years of experience of 747 lease operations for several Nigerian airlines and concur with all the previous posts.Under no circumstances register the aircraft in Nigeria,get paid in hard currency up front - if a single payment is missed or delayed, pull out.
I have personal knowledge of a reputable European leasing company that got stiffed for 9 million dollars doing services for the national airline -with a written government guarantee. Frankly,Nigerian business practices have no equal when it comes to graft and corruption.Unless you are desperate and have no other options steer clear of the place.
I have a few years of experience of 747 lease operations for several Nigerian airlines and concur with all the previous posts.Under no circumstances register the aircraft in Nigeria,get paid in hard currency up front - if a single payment is missed or delayed, pull out.
I have personal knowledge of a reputable European leasing company that got stiffed for 9 million dollars doing services for the national airline -with a written government guarantee. Frankly,Nigerian business practices have no equal when it comes to graft and corruption.Unless you are desperate and have no other options steer clear of the place.
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Jupiter was involved with the Christian pilgrimage a few years ago. They weren't really an airline at that point. They competed for a fixed award of pilgrims and then used ACMI leased lift to move their passengers. Caution is highly advised!
