Khalifa at LTN?

[littletonyfokker]

Part from their usual BBJ parked at Metro, now there is a A320 next to it. Problems on the horizon?
They have returned all their cadets out of Oxford, Jerez and Brisbane on a one day notice.
It does not appear to be for political reasons although in the current situation this cannot be ignored.
Any info?

[Biggles Flies Undone]

From Wednesday's Reuters:

05Mar2003 ALGERIA: Khalifa Airways spokesman denies bankruptcy reports.
Text of report by Algerian radio on 4 March
The spokesman for Khalifa Airways, Mr Hassas, has denied reports that the company was on the brink of bankruptcy following the decision by some international airlines to withdraw their aircraft from Khalifa's fleet. Mr Hassas gave these clarifications to our reporter Fatiha Aoumeur:
[Hassas - recording] There are rumours circulating in the country that Khalifa [Airways] is going to fold completely. This is a lie and [rest of sentence in French] I categorically deny these reports. Khalifa is continuing its activities and is still alive and will continue to exist in the future, God willing.
Some people are wondering whether there are flight schedules and whether some flights will be delayed or cancelled. I would like to inform the listeners in this respect that Khalifa's new schedule will be published tomorrow, God willing, in all the newspapers.
Others are also talking about the aircraft which have been withdrawn. Five aircraft, belonging to the Turkish company Pegasus, have been withdrawn because their schedule ended last February. In the meantime, there will be negotiations with another company to bring new aircraft.
Source: Algerian radio, Algiers, in Arabic 2200 gmt 4 Mar 03.
BBC Worldwide Monitoring/ (c) BBC 2003.

[witchdoctor]

Luton should be well used to Khalifa by now. They often used to visit whilst trying to navigate their way from Oxford to places like Bristol, Filton, Cardiff etc........;)

[LTNman]

Two notices have been taped to the windscreen of one of the aircraft. Have they been impounded?

[Kace]

For a couple of weeks now, two Khalifa B777's have been parked on Frankfurt Rhein/Main Airport. Signs of problems at the company as well?

[PPRuNe Towers]

A search on international business news sites will show the group as a whole are having serious problems.

The government banking agency appear to have moved in on the Kalifa Bank.

Regards
rob

[Static Discharge]

An article in a French paper last week mentioned that several execs were arrested trying to leave the country with large amounts of cash. The CEO was wanted for questioning. Does not sound good.

[Chillwinston]

It was reported in one of the sunday rags a few weeks ago (Sunday Mail, Gadspy!) that the airlines owners whom own the bank with the same name are being investigated on money laundering charges in Algeria. Maybe this has alot to do with the current parking of a/c

[OLNEY 1 BRAVO]

The BBJ at Luton has certainly been impounded - I believe the lien is in favour of Boeing.

[evolante]

Here is the Khalifa Fleet. Big Boeing and Airbus exposure......


Model Registration

737-400 TC-APD
737-800 TC-APM
737-800 TC-APY
777-200 7T-VKQ
777-200 7T-VKP
A300B4-203F SU-BMZ
A310-324 F-OHPU
A310-324 F-OHPV
A310-324 F-OHPY
A310-324 F-OGYM
A310-324 F-OGYN
A310-324 F-OGYS
A310-325 F-OIHS
A319-112 F-OHJV
A319-112 F-OHJX
A319-112 F-OHJY
A319-114 D-AILH
A319-114 D-AILI
A319-114 D-AILK
A320-211 7T-VKO
A320-214 F-OHJZ
A340-313 7T-VKL
A340-313 7T-VKM
A340-313 7T-VKN
ATR42-320 F-OHRP
ATR42-320 F-OHRQ
ATR42-320 F-OHRN
ATR42-320 F-WQJZ
ATR72-500 F-OHGM
ATR72-500 F-OHGN
ATR72-500 F-OHGO
ATR72-500 F-OHGP
ATR72-500 7T-VVQ
ATR72-500 F-OHGQ
ATR72-500 7T-VVR
ATR72-500 F-OHGR
TBM700B F-HIGH
TBM700B F-HOPE
TBM700B F-HELO

[acm]

Surprisingly, all the F-O*** aircraft is a registration for the French West-Indies which is a tax heaven for ship and acft registration.

[irishcc]

......and they have just negotiated a deal with Air Atlanta Icelandic for the lease of a 747, based in Algiers......

[APG]

For the last two operations the regular A319/A320 in to LGW has been replaced by an ATR, 4 hours from Algiers nice!

Paul

[Mister Geezer]

The sudden clearout at Jerez was apparently a interesting sight. 90 or so cadets were given a few hours notice and a A319 was sent to collect them. The holds were so full with all their personal belongings, so they ended up placing their stuff on the empty seats.

[falconflier]

Evolante:

What were the regs on the A330s ?