View Full Version : Virgin Nigeria Fokker-50
harriewillem
22nd Mar 2007, 10:42
Hi I'm new here...
An article on VK's website: http://www.virginnigeria.com/en/ng/press/pr2007-3-19.html
The Fokker arrived yesterday... and is operating as from this morning on the LOS-PHC route...
Welcome to this F50 in Nigeria :D .. the best workhorse their is..
Greets,
Harriewillem
Virgin flew into Naf base, Port-Harcourt yesterday in the F-50. For now they are using Caverton ramp. More grease to their elbow.:D
harriewillem
23rd Mar 2007, 08:54
Here's the picture of the Fokker-50, taken in Palma on his way to Lagos...
http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=1189998&size=L&width=1600&height=1091&sok=JURER%20%20%28ZNGPU%20%28nvepensg%2Cnveyvar%2Ccynpr%2Ccu bgb_qngr%2Cpbhagel%2Cerznex%2Ccubgbtencure%2Crznvy%2Clrne%2C ert%2Cnvepensg_trarevp%2Cpa%2Cpbqr%29%20NTNVAFG%20%28%27%2B% 22ivetva%22%20%2B%22avtrevn%22%27%20VA%20OBBYRNA%20ZBQR%29%2 9%20%20beqre%20ol%20cubgb_vq%20QRFP&photo_nr=1
You can make jokes about the Fokker as much as you want, it will make fun of you when you are AOG...
For this operation a Fokker-50 is a real good aircraft...
harriewillem
23rd Mar 2007, 17:34
It seems to be a bit silent on this topic... VK and Arik are now really getting their ops to furfill the promises...
Normally their's great discussions on the forum...
soggyboxers
24th Mar 2007, 16:39
After the flight cancellations with no reason, refusals to refund ticket money and 10kg baggage allowance that Arik have been offering, Virgin should do a lot better with a 20 kg baggage allowance. It's early days yet to see how they will perform on this route and the Caverton passenger terminal is somewhat small for a Fokker 50 load of passengers. The old F5 looks like what it is, a nice strong old workhorse and it's a bit ironic that the 2 competitors on the LOS - NAF run are both leasing aircraft from Denim Air. With the considerably higher fare that Aero is charging, it will be interesting to see if they lower their fares or discontinue their service on this route.
Good luck to Virgin :ok:
harriewillem
24th Mar 2007, 21:14
Soggy,
Why it's ironic that they both lease at Denim AIr, they also take from fuel from the same supplier and use the seem handler.. That Denim Air leases to both parties is not ironic... or is it just me.. suppliers - supply...
In Formula-1 Ferrari provides also more teams with an engine...
I don't see a problem..
18left
25th Mar 2007, 09:33
heard there's a second one due very soon.
Any one know which routes?
Denim Air will soon take delivery of 2 x Fokker 100s for wet lease contracts.
Could it be that these birds will be working in Nigeria? If VK takes one it could relieve their pilot shortage problem and open the possibility of adding more routes.
Revnetwork? :)
anjouan
25th Mar 2007, 11:44
Harrie,
I think soggy meant that it's a coincidence, rather than an irony and he's right because there are many aircraft lessors, unlike manufacturers of racing car engines and of course, in Nigeria there are very few handlers or fuel suppliers to chose from. There's no problem with it and from what Rani is saying it's possible that they may be supplying more aircraft to Nigeria.
Despite the resurfacing and extending of the runway at Port Harcourt NAF Base, aircraft of the size of Boeing 737 are not allowed to operate there, so it's good to see operators getting around this and leasing aircraft which are capable of giving some competition to Arik. It's also interesting to note that Arik are still extending their ramp area and the taxiway despite the supposed reopening of the International airport by June. That obviously will never happen as I hear that their are, as usual, conflicts with Julius Berger over payment and all work has yet again stopped. I personally doubt the airport will reopen this year :uhoh: .
The main problem to more operations at NAF Base is the lack of parking and passenger handling facilities (though the military/VIP apron has been full to bursting with aircraft bearing PDP slogans in the run-up to the elections. I notice that the Italian building tycoon who owns the Bell 407 5N-BIC has also started clearing ground for his new terminal now. Maybe he will lease some ramp space to a fixed wing operator or start his own fixed wing operation?
anjouan
25th Mar 2007, 11:52
Harrie,
I think soggy meant that it's a coincidence, rather than an irony and he's right because there are many aircraft lessors, unlike manufacturers of racing car engines and of course, in Nigeria there are very few handlers or fuel suppliers to chose from. There's no problem with it and from what Rani is saying it's possible that they may be supplying more aircraft to Nigeria.
Despite the resurfacing and extending of the runway at Port Harcourt NAF Base, aircraft of the size of Boeing 737 are not allowed to operate there, so it's good to see operators getting around this and leasing aircraft which are capable of giving some competition to Arik. It's also interesting to note that Arik are still extending their ramp area and the taxiway despite the supposed reopening of the International airport by June. That obviously will never happen as I hear that their are, as usual, conflicts with Julius Berger over payment and all work has yet again stopped. I personally doubt the airport will reopen this year :uhoh: .
The main problem to more operations at NAF Base is the lack of parking and passenger handling facilities (though the military/VIP apron has been full to bursting with aircraft bearing PDP slogans in the run-up to the elections. I notice that the Italian building tycoon who owns the Bell 407 5N-BIC has also started clearing ground for his new terminal now. Maybe he will lease some ramp space to a fixed wing operator or start his own fixed wing operation?
harriewillem
26th Mar 2007, 18:54
Hello,
I really don't think VK or Arik want to move back to INT most buisnesstravellers prefer NAF at PHC.
So that would be a nice discussion also...
Denim Air will get the F100 at Q3 / September....
:ok:
tropicopter
26th Mar 2007, 20:03
Harrie,
If and when the International airport at Port Harcourt opens, it's rather dubious whether Arik and Virgin will be able to continue to operate to NAF Base. It's been closed to fixed wing traffic numerous times over the last 15 years and even Aero had to move their fixed wing operations to the International. A lot may depend on who wins the election next month. It's well known that most people on domestic flights would far prefer to fly direct to the NAF Base as it's much closer to town, however, it's difficult to see how the FAAN, NAMA or NCAA would continue to allow this to happen if a lot of money is invested into the rebuilding of the International. The public may want it, but that's never meant anything to those in power in this country :ugh:
Flying Touareg
26th Mar 2007, 20:31
Tropicopter,
Dont forget that the NAF Base is a military facility. I dont think it will be possible for the Govt to allow the airlines continue operating there forever.
For how long the PH INT airport remains closed, i think till eternity. Work has been at standstill at the new terminal in Kano for almost 8 years now!!
Lagos terminal too!!
What is very much needed is a private sector initiative to be allowed to build airports in Nigeria.:ugh:
By the way, anybody has info on the recent concession of Abuja airport to a private company?I have heard nothing since the recent transfer of the aiport to a a private company.