Monarch climbs out of bed with SNA

[Gunship]

I had a post like this earlier and asked for comments ... none appeared.

While researching for the guys about Sierra Leone Airways / ECO Air - I came onto a serious rumour ..

I fly out with SNA tomorrow night (how about a business class upgrade JET DRIVER )

Ok now the bad news (rumour) ... SNA owes the Brits $ 1 Mil - now. I do not know how that works buy anyway that is the rumour. Most probably they owe Monarch even more ?

A definite date was in 10 days all SNA / Monarch flights will seize to operate

Next rumour : SNA is seriously looking for MORE investors (to rip off) so a two way post .. a rumour and a warning ! They have milked many before Monarch ....

Help guys ... I also want to fly back in 2 weeks time

[Gunship]

The latest

The Commercial Director said to a friend that they (SNA) will not stop operations but are switching to a Dutch consortium "Holland Air " and a British company.

Apparently an A310 and a B767 ?

[Bealzebub]

That might be a rumour in Freetown, but it isn't one in Luton.

Monarch have a smart commercial department and rarely do anything that isn't paid for up front.

This contract was scheduled to end last year but was extended over the winter. I understand that the 757 is more profitably employed on European bucket and spade routes over the summer. The SNA config meant that it was only being utilized on two flights a week on that contract and was substituting on some smaller airbus routes at other times.

The contract was mutually beneficial and the customer seemed happy.

[finnman]

understand form this friday sna flight's will be operated by egyptian registered a310

[BAKELA]

Guns, come in! Too busy down in Slaapstad I suppose. Enjoy it boet.

Finman, if Guns was up there he surely would have been able to source us the gen.

[finnman]

bakela

a310 owned/operated by midwest airlines based in cairo

all egyptian crew

seems retrograde step to me but we will see

[Gunship]

Air Holland

After a BAD , SH1T flight with Monarch maybe it is for the best that they split anyway. (more later).

Even the hostess (in broken English) as she is French (i Think) admitted that they stop flying next week.

Air Holland is confirmed - so I do not know where the Egypt comes from.

Sorry in rush

[Yak97]

Air Holland?

It seems to me that Air Holland seem to be speading themselves all over the place:

Air Scotland - after Electra left/given the heave ho

Air Slovakia - Ex BHX to India

Now SNA as well??

Don't they have any IT work for this summer?

And weren't they in financial problems themselves not that long ago (aircraft returned to lessor??)

Just makes you wonder (well it does me but I've got too much time on my hands)

[finnman]

guns
the air holland option was thrown out by the privatisation
committee last weekend and therefore that is where
the a310 comes into the picture
it leaves cairo today arriving gatwick tonight for ops
to fna tomorrow

[Gunship]

Tx Finnman

Tx Man,

I am sure you know better then as I travelled a week ago and that was the words of a crew - member.

So it changed - well let us hope for the better for all.

Ghana Airways also had a Egyptian company working for them till they did not pay them ... Africa style.

Nova Air ? if I remember correct ?

So Midwest / Cairo connection then.

Oh and the flight was FULL - very full !

[Yak97]

For info:

The A320 that GH had was operated by Lotus Air of Egypt but there was a Lebanese connection as the aircraft did a once a week ACC/Beirut run (for maintenance?). Possible also involved with potential Lebanese interests in privatisation of GH (T + E)? (Now whatever became of that??)

[Gunship]

Answers ... to my rumours ..

Yak97 For info:

The A320 that GH had was operated by Lotus Air of Egypt but there was a Lebanese connection as the aircraft did a once a week ACC/Beirut run (for maintenance?). Possible also involved with potential Lebanese interests in privatisation of GH (T + E)? (Now whatever became of that??)

Lotus was never paid and left ... JACK ... Just another confused Kompany in Africa ..

Here is the latest re SNA :

Sierra National Airlines last Friday took a dramatic twist against its detractors when a new airbus 310 flight landed at the Lungi international airport with a difference.

According to information reaching Standard Times, this transaction, which was the brain work of the Managing Director, Mr. A.D.A. McCormock and his Deputy, Mr.

Ahmed Wurie was the result of an understanding for a replacement of the lease agreement between SNA and Monarch Airlines, which ended in April 30, 2003.

It was further revealed that a new agreement with a Cairo-based American company called Midwest Airlines has already been signed for a short period, and has started performing international operations for an initial period of six weeks.

SNA sources intimated this press that within the one and half months period, the company will explore all their international communications and expertise to sign a long-term lease agreement with one of the most outstanding airlines transporter, Lufthansa Airways for a bigger aircraft to take over its international operations.

The sources also debunked the erroneous allegation that at the end of the Monarch Airlines agreement there will be no aircraft to continue flying SNA passengers.

The SNA team has made it clear that there will be no disruption or cancellation in their international flights schedule.

The airline continues its normal schedule and routine, which remains the same.

In an interview with this press during a conducted tour of the new aircraft, which is said to be capable of carrying over 200 passengers, the SNA Planning Manager Mr. Abu Bakarr Kamara disclosed that the headrest in the Midwest aircraft will soon be changed to the colour of the Sierra Leone flag.

One of the captains of aircraft, Captain Naur Swad said the airline has nine crew members onboard and can fly nine hours non-stop.

The Captain further explained that the Airbus 310 series accommodate a total of 208 passengers, including18 First Class passengers.

The captain has been in air transport for the past sixteen years.


I should be ok to fly them by next weekend and will report back ...