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Virgin Nigeria (threads merged)
I read yesterday that the Virgin group of Mr Branson was starting a carrier in Nigeria, with Nigerian partners of course.
I'd be interested to hear comments on this. Chances of success, equipment used, and the usual rumors of course. |
From ThisDay of 27 September 2004:
'Virgin-Nigeria 'll Be Fully Nigerian Airline' By Ndubuisi Francis General Manager of Virgin Atlantic Airways in Nigeria, Mr. Peter Barry has assured that the proposed national flag carrier, Virgin-Nigeria to which his airlinehas been appointed the strategic investor/technical partner will be fully owned Nigerian company that would be pre-occuipied with providing world class service. He spoke weekend amid feelers that officials of Virgin Atlantic Airways are expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Government Tuesday in furtherance of the proposed airline project. Barry who spoke in Lagos at a colourful award ceremony for the airline's travel agents said discussions were continuing with the Nigerian government on the project, assuring that when operational, the proposed airline would provide the nation with a world class service. "It will be a fully Nigerian company to bring world class airline to Nigeria. Nigeria deserves a world class airline for its world class people", Barry said. Meanwhile, there are feelers that the Federal Government and officials of Virgin Atlantic Airways are billed to sign an MoU in Abuja on Tuesday. Although it is not clear whether the Chairman of the airline, Richard Branson will be part of the officials of the airline from the United Kingdom who will arrive for the signing of the MoU, THISDAY gathered that Barry and the Nigerian representative of Virgin Atlantic Airways, Chief John Adebanjo will form part of the team that would meet with the Federal Government officials on Tuesday. Criticisms have continued to trail the appoitment of Virgin Atlantic Airways after the Federal Government had dropped South African Airways (SAA) earlier named strategic investor/technical partner to the proposed national flag carrier then christened Nigerian Eagle Airlines. Criticisms centre on what criteria the Federal Government adopted in choosing Virgin Atlantic, why the airline was given as much as 49 per cent equity and why the name Virgin-Nigeria was adopted. The process of raising the 51 per cent equity said to be reserved for Nigerian institutional investors has also been heavily flawed just as the disclosure by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) that Virgin-Nigeria which is reportedly yet to be registerd had already applied for an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) even before the Federal Government named it as proposed national flag carrier. |
Thanks for that information, it was more than in the article I read.
If its to be fully Nigerian it may take a while longer to get in the air. Then it may be just the ongoing mumbo jumbo talk will fizzle out as the other 2 or 3 ventures have. Ya gotta love Nigeria. |
Virgin Nigeria recruitment
The actual links in the text below are incorrect, here are the correct ones:
www.phillipsconsulting.net/virginnigeria.php From Businessdayonline.com: Virgin Nigeria to begin recruitment 2004-11-03 07:14:31 Virgin Nigeria, the country’s new flag carrier, is shortly to kick off its nationwide search for enthusiastic and skilled Nigerian professionals by signing on two of the country’s leading human resource consultants, KPMG and Phillips Consulting, to handle its staff recruitment. Simon Harford, the airline’s Chief Executive Officer, said, “the vision of Virgin Nigeria has always been to employ suitably qualified Nigerians at all levels within the company in the shortest possible time. The vast majority of our people will be Nigerians, and when we need to bring in international experts with specific skills they will be charged with grooming Nigerian successors. Having the best and keenest people is central to our customer service and the success of our business.” He said further: “We believe KPMG and Phillips Consulting have the pedigree to help us find the most suitable Nigerians, wherever they may be, who will be entrusted with Virgin Nigeria’s dream of all-year-round delivery of top class on-board and on-ground services to Nigeria.” KPMG is handling the recruitment of office-based staff while Phillips Consulting is responsible for securing the airline’s frontline staff such as cabin and flight crew as well as airport and reservation staff. “We shall shortly be announcing the numerous job openings on the websites of KPMG www. resourcing. ng.kpmg.com and Phillips Consulting www.phillips-consulting.net/virginnigeria.php as well as in the media,” Harford said, stressing, “We are an equal opportunity employer, so we encourage all qualified Nigerians, male and female, to apply when the vacancies are declared; all applications will be treated purely on their merit.” He explained that the selection process would be both rigorous and objective, saying, “We shall be looking for applicants who have the right experience, technical skills and character, just as we shall place a premium on energy, integrity, people skills and enthusiasm.” It would be recalled that the Chairman of the Virgin Group, Sir Richard Branson, had explained that Virgin Nigeria would directly employ several thousands of Nigerians within the first few years of its operation. This will be in addition to creating an estimated 20,000 indirect jobs in the Nigerian labour market through suppliers, partners and activities at the airports. |
Staff and Headquarters
Last Wednesday, VNA had its first board meeting, during which it was announced that VNA would launch flights in June 2005 on the domestic routes. Later, they will fly regionally, continentally and then intercontinentally.
Any news on recruitment and whether contracts have been signed? What about a new headquarters, training and fleet decisions? Any first hand accounts of what is happening? Thanks .......from BusinessDay Online. Virgin Nigeria starts domestic flight operations in June 2005-03-25 08:16:19 By John OSADOLOR & Susan NOHOLO ............................................................ .................. Virgin Nigeria Airlines, the nation’s new flag carrier, will start flight operations on the domestic route by June, this year, BUSINESS DAY has learnt. At its first board meeting held in Lagos Wednesday, the airline's investors ratified the appointment of astute manager and an industrialist, Felix Ohiwerei, as chairman of Board of Directors. Other members of the 11-man board are Arnold Ekpe, Tajudeen Dantata, Diboye Shonekan, Bismark Rewane, John Adebanjo, Dick Rigweay, Julie Southern, Steven Clark, Graham Kebby and Simon Harford, who is the pioneer Managing Director. Sources at the Ministry of Aviation told BUSINESS DAY that the highpoint of the inaugural meeting was the decision to start flight operations on the local route in June, this year. "We decided that this airline should have a gradual growth from local route to regional, and then to continental before going intercontinental", the source said. The board, also decided that Virgin Nigeria Airline should from on-set be a model airline, in Africa and beyond, hoping to tap on the managerial competence of Ohiwerei. Virgin Nigeria is a joint venture between a British carrier, Virgin Atlantic Airways and Nigerian institutional investors. The equity holding of the investment is in the ratio of 51 to 49 per cent for Nigerian institutional investors and Virgin Atlantic Airways respectively. A Memorandum of mutual Understanding (MEMU) was signed between the Federal Government and Virgin in September last year to float a new carrier for Nigeria following the collapse of Nigeria Airways. At the signing of the MEMU, the head of the Virgin Group, Richard Branson, said Virgin Nigeria, when operational will provide jobs for 22,000 people and provide excellent passenger service of world class standard. |
"Simon Harford, the airline’s Chief Executive Officer, said, “the vision of Virgin Nigeria has always been to employ suitably qualified Nigerians at all levels within the company in the shortest possible time. The vast majority of our people will be Nigerians, and when we need to bring in international experts with specific skills they will be charged with grooming Nigerian successors. Having the best and keenest people is central to our customer service and the success of our business.”
Translated it means" reinventing the wheel." Business folks today dont need tax write offs.........optimism, or pesimism?? |
I think this is great....Nigeria needs a class run operation....there are some very capable Nigerians that only need an opportunity to excel. Mind you the devil is in the details on how to make it work. There are a lot of built in problems operating in Nigeria but if it has the support of the powers that be within Nigeria it does have a chance to succeed. I know some Nigerian pilots and Engineers that would be prime candidates for that operation.
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Hey Brothers, there are many out of work Zim Mig pilots, give the brothers a call man. These Jet Heads know how to fly.
It is just a pity the Evil UK Empire stopped giving the Zim Airforce the spares and technical support they deserved. Hey b4 you Pale Faces go on about the Bad Bob story. Just think about how much this celebrated leader did to liberate the African. So he is not perfect , who is? Now Zim is drowning in Debit thanks to the fact that the UK have decided to cut credit. Brainless Blair just wants to starve a healthy economy until they beg for assistance. I believe Bob will come back to life and be the new Messiah of Africa, he will have supernatural powers and will rule the whole of Africa. And yes, I may just be your pilot on your next schedule departure from JHB. |
Grommet
Your a hoot..........Im bettin your not gonna get to many more to rise up, Your so right Brother Bob has done wonders for Zim. He has kicked it back into the dark ages it may never get back to within a few hundred years of reality. Zim Mig Pilots, let them fly their own Migs. How many Oxen does it take to get them out on the runway?? ZimBob is a Messiah allright. Mainly just a Mess. Troll Leader Out |
Virgin Nigeria and Virgin Nigeria only
Gentlemen,
Could we PLEASE revert to the subject matter of this thread and that is Virgin Nigeria and its recruitment drive. This is NOT a thread about Mugabe's IQ, rascism or the ku klax clan, or whatever you're discussing. It's a matter of respect for other members and thread. Thank you Rani |
Mr Moderator, evrything has a price right?
How much for a little info on Grommit? Needs his nackers cut off..... |
Have to wish VN luck. Anything in competition to SAA on the route, even if it's via the UK, would help, as well as getting a stable operation going in that part of the world.
Any word on requirements? With the bearded grinner in charge, one would assume JAR, n'est ce pas? |
I hear they start operations in about 8 weeks on the local routes with VN Express.
Also gather they are bringing in about 8 737 aircrafts now, some weeks ago it was the A320! hmpf :confused: Can somebody tell me sincerely who will fly this aircrafts, and how the recruitement process for our local pilots here in Nigeria will be carried out. I have not seen or heard anything concrete so far about that aspect of their operation but for little whispers hear and there amongst pilots in Lagos. The only concern I have is how many of our guys here are under training to start operations with VN Express. As somebody said on this thread I know some Nigerian pilots and Engineers that would be prime candidates for that operation. Regards Zazoo |
VNA
Zazzoo,
Interesting thing you brought up, will the local operation be called Virgin Nigeria Express? It would be wise to segregate the regional operations (Express brand) from the long haul VNA brand. Regional services must offer low fares similar to those of other independent carriers like Bellview, ADC, etc. The Boeing 737-300/400/500 would be better suited at the moment as they would be cheaper to operate than the A320 and they would find more Nigerian qualified 737 pilots than A320. Regarding the pilots, a source at VNA in London has indicated that the long haul Airbus A340-300 (4 of them to be transfered from Virgin Atlantic) will be initially damp leased (British flight crew and Nigerian cabin crew), then leased with full Nigerian crew and eventually the aircraft will be bought outright. It would be possible that initially, short haul aircraft (737 or A320) will also be damp leased until such a time that significant numbers of Nigerian pilots are hired and re-trained. As you pointed out, there are many qualified Nigerian Boeing 737 pilots out there. The problem is they have pledged to start ops in June so time is running out. I wonder if their headquarters, IATA/ICAO codes have been sorted out and when flight schedules will be published. If they intend to fly in June, then flight schedules should go online any time now. Please check your PM. Rani |
Rani,
I believe the HQ for now will be in the Int'l terminal MMIA. Regarding recruitment, I believe it will be sorted out as soon as DFO and CP are hired. Zazoo, Na wa o. Where have you been. I tried tracking you down in Los to no avail. Anyway, are you still flying the whirly birds? Sounds like you want to cross over to fixed wings? I should be back by the summer. |
Has NCAA issued the AOC yet?
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Rani,
Unfortunately, I don't have that info, but will check. I don't think that will be a challenge of any sort, considering they have full support from OBJ. |
here it is folks!!!!!!
"Suitably qualified applicants for the posts of Captain and First Officer should send their CV to [email protected] with details of two referees with whom we can discuss your application. The closing date for all applications is 27 April 2005." Source: http://www.virginnigeria.com/jobs.html Good luck to all. |
VNA Recruitment!
Great news!!
What about the aircraft types? How would pilots know if they will be qualified to apply? |
A very reliable source in NCAA saw some papers (last week) having to do with VN bringing in 4 X Airbus 319. I saw some Oyinbos running around NCAA HQ this morning, something to do with licensing.
There are a lot of 737 drivers in nigeria but mostly on the -200 series. I don't know what model of 737 they're considering. If its 8 X 737 Classics then they're going to type rate a lot of people as only AERO operate the -300. Also some of the other airlines are rumoured to be bringing in new ac (albarka 3 X 737, Chanchangi 3 X 737, IRS 3 X F-100, new airline Sahara 4 X 737, Fresh air DC9s + 737s, then a few cargo 727s). Anyway even if they are bringing guys in from outside, they better start writing airlaw now if they want to start in 8 weeks:} . |
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