AFX AOC Suspended [Archive]

s.lindburgh

21st Mar 2002, 14:51

Does anybody have any good info on this company, ie specific routes, number of employees, money behind the operation, key names etc etc I would be particularly interested to know if their AOC is suspended or has actually been withdrawn. .. .tks in anticipation. .. .ps have also copied same to Freight Forum. . . . [ 21 March 2002, 10:59: Message edited by: s.lindburgh ]

non sched

21st Mar 2002, 15:59

S lindbergh. .Go here. .<a href="http://www.afx-747.com/" target="_blank">http://www.afx-747.com/</a>. . <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

s.lindburgh

21st Mar 2002, 16:30

non sched tks for web site, rather tatty unless u want to buy 3 mini mouse mats and get 1 absoloutly free!!!!! I will keep trawling.. .. .cheers. .lindburgh

non sched

21st Mar 2002, 17:08

Lindburgh. .. .Well, Philip Bowles started it up, Michael Chowdry tried to buy it at one time, they had runs to the Middle East and Far East as well as the US and they operated 3 747-200's. Sorry you didn't like the web site. If you hurry you could get the last of those limited edition mugs. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> <blockquote>quote:<hr />Google is a wonderful thing <hr /></blockquote>

s.lindburgh

21st Mar 2002, 17:19

non sched. .. .Not your fault their web site is cheap and nasty.. .Seriously though I'm particularly interested as to why it was not a viable operation and as to where it went wrong. I was always surprised that they could operate out of LHR given the cost/regulatory hurdles. Always thought there was more to this operation than at first met the eye, seemingly it was just badly managed. Interested to hear they operated 3 a/c thought it was only 2, perhaps you could shed more light on that together with the answer to who is Michael Chowdry.. .. .Once again tks. .cheers. .lindburgh

Honiley

21st Mar 2002, 17:38

I understand the AOC is only suspended - not actually revoked. . .. .The CAA have apparently given AFX a number of chances to sort themselves out but each time they've failed to do so - on one occasion Bowles didn't even bother turing up for a meeting at Aviation House!!!. .. .From what I've heard around LHR is the engineering side of things is somewhat of a hazard - one of the A/c checks was done in China !!! . .. .Engine monitoring from the flight deck is fine with the usual note making of T's & P's - but all these were discovered just stacked in a cupboard, no-one had bothered to enter them anywhere so no-one has any idea whats happening under those cowlings - I wonder what the engine owners think about that one (assuming they are leased).. .. .Sad news for the 120 staff they employ but I can't help thinking the industry is better off without them..

non sched

21st Mar 2002, 17:41

Lindburgh. .The info about three A/C I gleaned from a press release shown below. Michael Chowdry started Atlas Air in the US and died a while back in an airplane crash. He was looking for a UK AOC when he offered to buy AFX and eventually found one elsewhere. It seems AFX would have been better off if they'd accepted his offer. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" /> . .. .British cargo airline Air Freight Express (AFX) has applied with the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to operate flights to a new range of destinations including Moscow, Beirut, Tripoli, Bangkok, Beijing, Karachi, Shanghai, Auckland, Fiji, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and Tahiti, plus points in North and South America. AFX operates two B747-200 freighters and will be acquiring a third by mid-November.. . <blockquote>quote:<hr />A man's got to know his limitations <hr /></blockquote>

s.lindburgh

21st Mar 2002, 17:57

non sched. .. .Many tks for info. Would you happen to know why Chowdry wanted a uk aoc, or indeed a uk based/registered operation? Also why his offer was turned down ?. .. .Honiley, all a bit serious if you ask me. . .. .cheers. .lindburgh

Siddique

21st Mar 2002, 20:48

Honily (isnt that a waypont 60 mls south of MAN?. .What is wrong with maintenance in China? The Worlds No2 Airline has it's maint done there and it looks good to me.

screwdriver

22nd Mar 2002, 03:57

Ditto, Honiley is obviously talking out of his proverbially.

CR2

22nd Mar 2002, 16:43

2 B747-245F G-GAFX, G-INTL. Understand GAFX leased from Boeing, INTL owned by AFX.

Greg Baddeley

22nd Mar 2002, 17:08

One at LHR yesterday by BMI's Maintenance Hangar - didn't seem to be active.

greatorex

22nd Mar 2002, 20:32

Surely, those four 'Mini Mouse Mats' are drinks coasters????? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="smile.gif" />

Noddy Staltern

23rd Mar 2002, 16:01

I have heard from reliable sources that AFX has been placed in Administration. It is unlikely to recover from this - the crews did not get paid last month and are rapidly moving elsewhere.

CR2

23rd Mar 2002, 18:15

Heard about an employee buy-out yesterday on the grapevine. Anyone heard that?

HotDog

24th Mar 2002, 03:21

Honiley, what's wrong with doing maintenance in China? Cathay Pacific has an excellent maintenance base in Xiamen and have all their heavy maintenance letter checks done there on their own aircraft.. . . . [ 24 March 2002, 06:20: Message edited by: HotDog ]

Honiley

24th Mar 2002, 05:33

Oh for gods sake!. .. .I'm not knocking Chinese Aircraft maint. quality.. .. .Since when has a Uk operator/Uk CAA AOC holder had its maint. done in China - thats what i'm getting at.. .. .FLS at STN. .BA at LGW/LHR - all these companies are more than familiar with a B747!!!

HotDog

24th Mar 2002, 09:45

Yes, but twice as expensive!

Plastique

24th Mar 2002, 10:09

TAECO in Xiamen China is part owned by Boeing and have a great reputation for B747 Freighter conversions and B747 maintenance. . .Check out their other British customer:. .. .<a href="http://www.taeco.com/subpages/customers.htm" target="_blank">http://www.taeco.com/subpages/customers.htm</a>

Jes

24th Mar 2002, 15:22

G-GAFX has been in storage at MSE (London Manston) since December.

s.lindburgh

24th Mar 2002, 16:25

Thanks all, so to conclude 1 x a/c @lhr, 1 x a/c @mse, both doing apparently nothing. Flight crews desserting a sinking ship and company more than likely in admin. mmmmmmmmhhhhhhh still would like to know about their aoc though.. .. .tks in advance. .cheers. .lindburgh

Dutchie

24th Mar 2002, 20:04

Hi Honiley,. .. .I think you are right they should have done maintenance in the UK and rather that 747s they should have flown tridents <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> . .. .Isn't the beauty of an international industry like aviation the people with an insular way of thinking...

Honiley

24th Mar 2002, 20:33

Well, whatever!!!!. .. .The aircraft at manston is a "Christmas Tree" to supply parts for the other aircraft by the way.... .. .I understand the AOC is still in place, due to the company going into administration...

Noddy Staltern

24th Mar 2002, 23:40

AFX has had maintenance done in many places....and usually not paid the bill....so next time they go elsewhere....and don't pay the bill. There are not many places left they can go anymore...

Lybid

25th Mar 2002, 03:11

Anyone still interested in Atlas?. .See <a href="http://www.atlasair.com/" target="_blank">http://www.atlasair.com/</a>. .The great cargo success story in recent years based on Michael Choudry's vision of wrapping up all the good B747 capacity so everyone had to go to him for capacity to expand.. .Worked well but going through a rough patch at the moment. Aren't we all?. .Rgds. .Lybid. .. .PS For those who do not know, Mr Choudry unfortunately flew his L39 into the ground a while ago.. . . . [ 24 March 2002, 23:15: Message edited by: Lybid ]

Exclusive Mandate

25th Mar 2002, 13:40

The rumours of going into administration are just that....rumours.. .. .Is there someone out there with an axe to grind? . .. .Experience tells me that PPrune Administrator has usually pulled the plug by now. This thread has rumbled on for a little while without any apparent substance.. .. .Put up or shut up!!!. .. ."If life were only bizjets"

peterc

25th Mar 2002, 16:55

It seems Executive Mandate has got it wrong.AFX went into administration on friday and all staff were made redundant,this is a fact not a rumour.. .Best wishes to all the good people who worked for AFX.As far as this thread having run its course I dont think so,not by a long chalk.And yes I do have an axe to grind !!!!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="mad.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="mad.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="mad.gif" />

Greg Baddeley

25th Mar 2002, 17:15

Go grind it, pc - that's what the forum's here for!!

Exclusive Mandate

25th Mar 2002, 17:33

PC.....Correct. .. .Administrator appointed but they hope to continue flying...... .. .What are their chances?. .. .Let us know!!

peterc

25th Mar 2002, 21:24

Executive Mandate.I hope AFX can keep flying but dont hold out much hope.Maybe someone from AFX so called management might care to comment ????? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="confused.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="confused.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="confused.gif" />

s.lindburgh

25th Mar 2002, 22:18

Can anybody tell me if AFX did much flying for CLX. If so any ideas as to how many hours per month say. Also I'd be interested to know the make up of the AFX management team.. .. .cheers. .lindburgh

peterc

26th Mar 2002, 01:03

Lindburgh.Yes AFX did fly for CLX dont know how many hours per month,but quite a number I would guess.As far as the management team is conerned there wasnt one PJB made all the management decisions,it was really a one man band.Hope this is of some use to you.

CR2

26th Mar 2002, 16:52

Asking a lot of questions Lindburgh, I wonder why?. .. .edited for spelling. . . . [ 26 March 2002, 12:54: Message edited by: CargoRat2 ]

s.lindburgh

27th Mar 2002, 14:10

CargoRat2,. .. .Am interested to know why a uk cargo airline very rarely succeeds on the british register with a uk aoc. Would be nice for someone to pick up any pieces here, that is if there are any. Am sure there is plenty of ACMI work around for 2 x 742's. What do you reckon <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> . .. .cheers. .lindburgh

Exclusive Mandate

27th Mar 2002, 15:21

Lindburgh. .. .I think you will find that any ACMI operator will suffer unless they are a US registered company. I'm sure you know that no wet leasing is allowed into, out of and inside the U.S. unless the operator is a U.S. registered company.. .. .How can you exclude the world's biggest market, the US. Until now, this is why Atlas were so successful....however, even they are suffering at present....see other thread!. .. .One of the problems with the Bermuda II agreement I'm afraid, amongst other things. . .. .U.S. Protectionism <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="mad.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="mad.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="mad.gif" />

s.lindburgh

27th Mar 2002, 15:56

EM - but what if that were all to change ?????. .Bermuda 2 will be renegotiated soon....... .And I wouldn't say that wz a non US ACMI operation u r excluding yr biggest mkt! Just look at who Atlas/Polar operate for, and from where and to!! . .I got into this business in a big way many years ago with the explicit mandate that no us registered airframes could be considered. That was for a 2 x 747 contract for 48 months!!!. .. .And of course as it is clear from the Atlas thread things are not too certain there at all.. .. .Still leaves an awful lot of freight to be hauled.. .Needs be where needs must and all that.. .. .cheers. .lindburgh