DETR/DoE to investigate MK Airlines?

[Vauxhall Cross]

I have been reliably informed that an investigation into MK Airlines, an airline operating under a Ghana 'flag of convenience' yet employing primarily Zimbabweans and being run from the UK with a base at Manston is well underway.

The primary concerns are:

1) What is a non-UK airline doing being based in, and operating from, the UK?

2) What are all the 'crew members' doing in the UK? On many occasions, their aircraft have arrived at MSE with very heavy crews indeed - and all on the GenDec.

3) Why have no work permits been applied for (or issued) to non EU nationals working for this company?

At the same time, the Ghanaian CAA is also starting to ask questions about how exactly a non-Ghanaian national (Mike Kruger) owns an Ghana airline. Similar questions are being asked about work and residence permits there as well.

Interesting times ahead for MK!

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The truth is out there!

[JJflyer]

A little bit upset aren't we... Huh.


JJ

[Loc-out]

Good show, about time too.

Serve them right for running a closed shop. How many Brits do they employ, apart from the token one or two?

Why don't they go back to Zim? What's wrong with the place?

[This message has been edited by Loc-out (edited 28 October 2000).]

[This message has been edited by Loc-out (edited 28 October 2000).]

[The Guvnor]

If Maggie Oldham had been around, there's no way that they could have got away with it! :) :) :)

This operation, to me, is little better than Atlas - they are operating from here as if they are a UK carrier yet are only employing foreign nationals - and not even EU ones at that.

It's because of airlines like this that there are so few long haul UK cargo operators these days!

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:) Happiness is a warm L1011 :)

[putco]

Interesting, got any more info???

[This message has been edited by putco (edited 28 October 2000).]

[Who?]

Interesting the 2 posters here that are making statements against MK.

[Vauxhall Cross]

Is MK Airlines a UK, Ghanaian or Zimbabwean airline?

MK will, of course, claim that they are Ghanaian. But are they? If this is the case, then the following questions must be asked:

1) Is Mike Kruger, the beneficial owner and CEO of the airline, a Ghanaian citizen? If not, he cannot hold a Ghana AOC - and of course under ICAO regulations (which are supposed to be enforced by the Ghana CAA) a Ghana national is not permitted to ‘front' for a non-national and provide a ‘flag of convenience'.

2) Is there is an administration and operations office in Ghana? If this is the case, why does the Ghana CAA send a team to the UK every year to inspect MK's operations?

3) Are there any MK crews or other personnel based in Ghana? If so, do they hold Ghana work and/or residence permits, if not Ghanaian nationals?

4) As a Ghanaian airline, how many Ghanaian personnel - and in particular flight crew - does MK employ?

5) Where do their crews and other personnel pay taxes? Is it in Zimbabwe, Ghana, UK - or nowhere?

6) Where does MK Cargo Airlines pay taxes? Is it in Ghana, the UK - or nowhere?

The following indicates that they are a UK carrier:

1) Administrative, maintenance and operational headquarters are domiciled in the UK - at Landhurst, Hartfield, East Sussex TN7 4DL. This property is a large farm, which includes Mike Kruger's personal residence as well as MK's operations department, engine, instruments and avionics workshops and parts stores.

2) Principal crew base situate in UK - indeed many have permanent residences as well as company provided accommodation.

3) UK based route structure (almost entirely fifth freedom) - including five or six times weekly services on behalf of a UK company carrying perishables from Kenya.

4) No work or residence permits appear to have been applied for or granted to non EU nationals working for MK. Of course, it is recognised that a fair number of Zimbabwean MK employees may have broken Zimbabwean law by retaining dual UK/Zimbabwe nationality; or may otherwise be entitled to the right of abode in the UK.

It therefore appears that on examination of the operational realities, MK Airlines Ltd is operating improperly and should be required to obtain a UK AOC. Whilst this would be fine as far as the B747 is concerned; the DC8s would be prohibited from being placed on the UK register.

MK's safety record has been very poor, with no less than two accidents resulting in the loss of aircraft; and numerous other incidents resulting in damage to their aircraft including an incident on the 28 March this year where four tonnes of ballast was left unsecured on 9G-MKJ and which subsequently shifted, causing severe damage in the area of the forward hold. In addition, the Dutch authorities ramp checked the 747 and found that neither the aircraft or crew were in compliance with regulations; resulting in the grounding of the aircraft.

The implications for UK airlines are serious. Not only is the UK government in the form of DETR permitting a foreign operator to base itself in the UK without the appropriate safety, operational and technical oversight being applied; but they are doing this potentially at the expense of carriers that hold UK and EU AOCs and which are capable of performing the work. AFX, for example (shortly to be joined by HeavyLift) is a UK operator of B747 freighters. There are several UK/EU operators of A300s, which could broadly be seen to be the equivalent of the DC8 - who have the aircraft and capacity to do the work.

The most serious implication of MK's operations, though, is the company's avowed policy of employing - wherever possible - only Zimbabwean nationals. Not only is this contrary to EU regulations; but it is, in effect, denying UK and other EU crews and other personnel the right to work at a carrier based in their own country. This therefore can be seen to be as bad as - if not worse than - the Atlas Air situation which has caused so much debate on other threads.

It also holds significant ramifications for Ghana, should it be proven that it is in effect allowing itself to be used as a ‘flag of convenience' by various airlines. As a country granted Category 1 status by the US and EU, certain standards of oversight and control are expected - standards which appear gravely deficient. Not only does Ghana provide its own regulatory oversight; but its CAA has been contracted by The Gambia and Sierra Leone to provide oversight for their respective aviation authorities. Indeed, ICAO even arranged the contract with The Gambia in order that it might rejoin ICAO.

Other Ghana registered carriers that have been identified as providing ‘flag of convenience' AOC cover include Air Ghana Limited, a company which operates B707-323C 9G-AYO on behalf of HeavyLift; Continental Cargo Airlines Ltd provides AOC cover for two UK based ‘operators' - Analinda Airlines, which operates a DC8 (9G-CDG) and B707 (9G-ADS) which in turn is managed by Phoenix Air Marketing Ltd, whose operations and marketing office is in Henfield, West Sussex; and GM [General Mediterranean] Airlines Ltd - a company that gives its administrative and operations office address as Power House, 6 Power Road, Chiswick, London W4 5PY which operates B727-230A (N359PA), Boeing 707-321C (9G-ADM), and a DC8-62F (9G-BAN); and Johnsons Air Ltd, which is beneficially owned by Farhad Azima (coincidentally the beneficial owner of HeavyLift Cargo Airlines) which operates a CL44 Guppy (9G-LCA) and three Boeing 707s (9G-FIA, 9G-OLD, and 9G-OOD).

It appears that the only legitimate airlines in Ghana are Ghana Airways, the national carrier; Fanair, which operates a B1900 on internal routes; and Ashanti Air Services, which is part of Ashanti Gold Fields and which is also a B1900D operator.

It will therefore be agreed - even by you, F_boot/F-num/Is That For Us? and your other multiple personalities - that this is an untenable position for both MK and the Ghana CAA and one which the DETR is perfectly justified in doing something about.

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The truth is out there!

[PPRuNe Towers]

VC, greatly interested by both your posts. I honestly think they'd be very usefully placed in Rumours and News.

Simply put, many of the movers and shakers chasing flagging out issues won't wander in here very often which would be a sad waste of your research.

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Regards from the Towers

[email protected]

[The Unteleported Man]

MK Airlines investigated by DETR? (http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/Forum1/HTML/010748.html) on Rumours and News (thread reposted there don't bother with this one on AA)

[This message has been edited by The Unteleported Man (edited 13 November 2000).]

[Boss Raptor]

One rule (or should I say interpretation)for one and another for the rest of us...

Regardless of the all important flight safety issues (there...or not in the MK case) this continued professional misuse of the 'system' is jeopardizing and will eventually lay waste to vast tracts of our industry especially at the second and third tier operator level. Those of you who have tried to lease an aircraft into Africa will appreciate exactly what I mean.

It is all about credibility...thanks for nothing MK!

[Kabullet]

Hey guys,
If you are going to slam a company, and try to pass off research as good gen, do REAL research! Sounds like your info is filled with jealousy and/or bitterness. Been burned have we?? Have you worked for this company/ know someone who has, and was not happy. Come on guys this is Africa, someone is making a good go, give them a break. They do a good job and I say well done lads, keep it up and one day someone closer to home will make a break as well, and include us in the deal. Will you shoot them down too???

[Who?]

Thanks Kabullet, seems that some of the posters here are just various incarnations of the same person.

[putco]

Hey Kabullet - howzit going you old dog?

I agree whole heartedly with your sentiments, however this thread has been moved to "Rumours and News" so go check out the latest there.

See you soon for some dammit!