View Full Version : Virgin Nigeria to the USA?
spacedaddy
15th Jul 2005, 14:33
Even though this will effectively be a Virgin service since they will be a Nigerian company and AOC holder (supposedly) and Nigeria is not a category 1 country why are they planning services to the USA?.
Heard the USA said "no" because of restrictive UK practises but all they had to say was "Hey, check your category status". ???
Was that the official reply from the US DoT?
spacedaddy
16th Jul 2005, 06:48
Yes it was but they have now dropped that reason. Category status should still be the reason but in the world of politics today?
Gunship
16th Jul 2005, 08:40
Americans need oil (and friends) ... easy to see that one through :E
surely not
16th Jul 2005, 10:54
Hey Space Daddy i don't think you are right about Nigeria's category status. It wasn't an issue when Continental wanted to fly to Lagos. Are you sure you are not confused with Ghana which had its status dropped from a Cat 1 to 2? Even if you are confusing matters with Ghana, lack of Cat 1 doesn't mean flights cannot take place between the two countries. North American Airlines have started services between Accra and JFK with a 767 this month.
Also not sure wtf you put 'supposedly' for about VK's AOC. They wouldn't be flying if they hadn't had an AOC issued would they :=
VS and VK are run as totally seperate companies. VS has been supplying technical and personnel support during the start up phase. This is being withdrawn as the positions are filled by suitably qualified persons. This is exactly as planned in the competetive proposal that VS put forward to win the opportunity to star up VK ahead of the SAA bid. Sure VS an SQ have a 49% shareholding, and that was as the proposal as well, but 51% is owned by blue chip Nigerian Institutions.
As for the 'why would they plan services between Nigeria and the USA?' you are kidding me right? You really haven't worked that one out yet? Oh well, keep trying, I'm sure you'll get there in the end.
SN perhaps you can shed some light on the status of the application? We are eager to hear some good news re JFK route.
surely not
16th Jul 2005, 13:42
Rani, at times I reckon you know more than I do, so you tell me :D
How is the Calabar/Cross Rivers project coming along? It looks very exciting on the web site you posted and has generated a lot of enthusiasm from folks who I've tlked to from that area.
SN, read your PM mate!;) I've sent u something ages ago.
Re Calabar/Cross River, more good news is in the air with the following developments:
1- Calabar is linked to Abuja by air daily, nonstop on Overland's ATR42.
2- Completion of Africa's longest cable car, at the mountain foot leading to Obudu Resort (operated by Protea Hotels)
3- Completion of Nigeria's first forest canopy walkway at Afi reserve (Nigeria can now compete with Ghana for ecotourists).
4- Golden Tulip will run (build??) a hotel in Calabar, which can bow boast its first truly international-standard hotel.
All the above will surely (yes!) contribute positively to other investments. Nice domino effect!
:ok:
surely not
16th Jul 2005, 14:47
Fantastic news Rani re the Calabar development. I hope to visit it before my contract is up and I have to leave West Africa.............not for awhile yet I hope.
SASless
16th Jul 2005, 15:25
Couple of questions....
What is a "Nigerian Blue Chip Institution"? A ritzy casino place?
Calabar project....why is it that part of Nigeria seems peaceful and prosperous.....can it be folks from Cameroon running things down there?
Cross River is run by a young and dynamic Governor with bold ideas. He is both a realist and a visionary. A few other states are slowly (but surely) becoming self-sustaining (Plateau, Enugu, etc.) so good governance is not limited to the Cameroon border. Nigerians live in Cross River, not Cameroonians, I dont want to comment on this silly theory.
surely not
16th Jul 2005, 18:09
A Blue Chip company in any country is one that has substantial funding and an excellent track record for investment and management.
Someone else will have to tell you why Blue Chip is the term used.........
spacedaddy
22nd Jul 2005, 12:37
hey surely
Been away where no internet exists. Country category ratings listed here. http://www.faa.gov/safety/programs_...edia/iasaws.xls
guess Nigeria not rated. but even oil shouldn't make it a cat 1. we'll see!
There are countries not listed in the Assessment Program which are linked to the US by scheduled flights. I am sure there are exceptions in cases where the local authority is working on improving its status or where mutual interests for scheduled flights are too pressing. I am no expert but I don't think it's black / white situation.
Also, dont forget that if the aircraft is registered by a CAT 1 country (such as the UK) with due oversight carried out by that zone' regulatory authority on said aircraft/crew then the equipment can be used on revenue flights between the US and any CAT 2/3 country including Nigeria. As such, Virgin Nigeria can fly to JFK if given regulatory approval faster than you can blink an eye.
THis is the sort of arrangement which attracted the defunct WT to approach other carriers for ACMI leases (Air Atlanta, SAA, etc.).