Wot's happening at Air Nauru?
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Wot's happening at Air Nauru?
So, any info guys on the report in The Australian re repossession of RON.
Hope it's not true...some top guys and gals out there!
what's the score coco nuts?
Hope it's not true...some top guys and gals out there!
what's the score coco nuts?
Is it true that the lease payments on their 737 haven't been paid to the tune of 12 million dollars? That's an awful lot of money which means the banks have been very generous in allowing the airline to operate for so long when owing so much.
However, the airline has always recovered from these crisis in the past and I hope for the sake of those living on Nauru who depend on the airline for vital services, that some kind benefactor will pay off the lease. If not, it may be final crunch time for a small airline that gave so many happy memories to its pilots over the years.
However, the airline has always recovered from these crisis in the past and I hope for the sake of those living on Nauru who depend on the airline for vital services, that some kind benefactor will pay off the lease. If not, it may be final crunch time for a small airline that gave so many happy memories to its pilots over the years.
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If this is so, the folk on Norfolk are going to be island bound as well seeing as how it picked up those flights x BNE after NJE tripped and fell earlier ths year.
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The last I saw of coco-nuts he was giving advice on an Indian 737 operator.
Perhaps he's already flown the coop?
Air Nauru has been doing this sort of stuff for about the last 30 years.
The reason there's no money in the kitty is because of the number of fingers that dip into it.
Perhaps he's already flown the coop?
Air Nauru has been doing this sort of stuff for about the last 30 years.
The reason there's no money in the kitty is because of the number of fingers that dip into it.
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Amos2, (to put it in words that only you would understand and i won't guild the lilies, we have f**ked up, the aeroplane is lost and so it should be!!)
how are ya? long time no see. hope all is well with you and the missus. my last flight on ron was on the 2nd dec. i have indeed left for greener pastures. i never saw this coming but it is true that the aeroplane has been flown to melbourne to be handed back to the exim bank.
it was quite sad to be informed by our ex-colleagues of the goings on with ron. the so called smart people ie new gov't folks who have been in power for the last 12 months have promised a lot and delivered pitifully little with regards to the airline.
the exim bank had simply had enough of the unpaid debts and simply wants to sell the aircraft to retrieve the money it is owed.
on a more cheerful note, the airline was audited two weeks ago by a casa flt inspector who had left the airline in 1981 because he thought the airline was about to go under. if this is any indication of the airlines future, then lazarus or maybe even phoenix are words to keep in mind.
however, i think that this is potentially the mother of all challenges that my country faces alongside the many other equally important challenges simultaneously bombarding the island as we speak.
the timing of my resignation from the airline two weeks ago could not have been more impeccable, but i was really getting nervous about the future of the airline.
as you know the locals are allowed to go on 'leave without pay ' for up to a year but i handed my resignation in because for the first time in over a decade of flying with my national carrier and after having personally spoken to the president of the country as well as the minister responsible for aviation (who had no control of his board of directors and the chairman who happened to be his uncle), i KNEW the end was nigh.
the gov't, the board and more importantly the highly paid senior management who were supposed to be aces in their fields, were simply duds and/or totally out of their depth. with the exception of just one or two of the managers in the past, most were the source of sad jokes amongst the pilots who had seen first-hand the results of their efforts. in fact, the flight operations department is probably the only professional and functioning arm of the airline!!!
to give you an example of incompetence, after having known that the court case was lost months ago, a replacement aeroplane was only being sourced through a broker (probably for a huge fee as usual) within the last few days and weren't they surprised that a replacement aircraft could not be available within a moments notice. quite simply, how stupid is this? i can go on and on forever and a day about the incompetence that has been air nauru but most people, especially the pilots who have flown for the airline know this already.
the lack of any contingency planning for the last two years is now bearing fruit. i say fruit because i would simply not run a grocery shop let alone any business based on this model!!!
so is this the airlines last gasp? i hope not. pinch me and wake me up from this nightmare caused by a greedy/incompetent/ignorant/inept/etc etc etc few but affecting the several nations who relied on this crucial service.
my heart as a local boy goes out to the people who are quite literally severed from the rest of the world. they have trusted the untrustworthy, had faith in the faithless, lead by the blind, deaf and dumb, and sometimes greedy (one is currently living in his penthouse in the melbourne cbd as i write this), to this sorry end.
the fallout of thirty years of mismanagement of the gov't and it's coffers is now being felt especially for the last couple of years and is now entering it's terminal stage.
the nation is down to it's last handful of millions. the white knight has to show up soon or i fear the country will literally sink.
so many big airlines have failed that the end of air nauru would simply be a little, insignificant plop in the history of airlines. it's only positive outcome would be as a study for prospective airline managers of how not to run an airline.
i already have enough knowledge and information to write my thesis for a masters degree in aviation business studies....aren't i lucky.
i apologise if this sounds like the ramblings of a bitter and twisted pilot, because quite simply, i am bitter and i am twisted with what has happened to my national carrier.
cheers to all, it's been a pleasure flying with you and hope to see you soon.
coco
how are ya? long time no see. hope all is well with you and the missus. my last flight on ron was on the 2nd dec. i have indeed left for greener pastures. i never saw this coming but it is true that the aeroplane has been flown to melbourne to be handed back to the exim bank.
it was quite sad to be informed by our ex-colleagues of the goings on with ron. the so called smart people ie new gov't folks who have been in power for the last 12 months have promised a lot and delivered pitifully little with regards to the airline.
the exim bank had simply had enough of the unpaid debts and simply wants to sell the aircraft to retrieve the money it is owed.
on a more cheerful note, the airline was audited two weeks ago by a casa flt inspector who had left the airline in 1981 because he thought the airline was about to go under. if this is any indication of the airlines future, then lazarus or maybe even phoenix are words to keep in mind.
however, i think that this is potentially the mother of all challenges that my country faces alongside the many other equally important challenges simultaneously bombarding the island as we speak.
the timing of my resignation from the airline two weeks ago could not have been more impeccable, but i was really getting nervous about the future of the airline.
as you know the locals are allowed to go on 'leave without pay ' for up to a year but i handed my resignation in because for the first time in over a decade of flying with my national carrier and after having personally spoken to the president of the country as well as the minister responsible for aviation (who had no control of his board of directors and the chairman who happened to be his uncle), i KNEW the end was nigh.
the gov't, the board and more importantly the highly paid senior management who were supposed to be aces in their fields, were simply duds and/or totally out of their depth. with the exception of just one or two of the managers in the past, most were the source of sad jokes amongst the pilots who had seen first-hand the results of their efforts. in fact, the flight operations department is probably the only professional and functioning arm of the airline!!!
to give you an example of incompetence, after having known that the court case was lost months ago, a replacement aeroplane was only being sourced through a broker (probably for a huge fee as usual) within the last few days and weren't they surprised that a replacement aircraft could not be available within a moments notice. quite simply, how stupid is this? i can go on and on forever and a day about the incompetence that has been air nauru but most people, especially the pilots who have flown for the airline know this already.
the lack of any contingency planning for the last two years is now bearing fruit. i say fruit because i would simply not run a grocery shop let alone any business based on this model!!!
so is this the airlines last gasp? i hope not. pinch me and wake me up from this nightmare caused by a greedy/incompetent/ignorant/inept/etc etc etc few but affecting the several nations who relied on this crucial service.
my heart as a local boy goes out to the people who are quite literally severed from the rest of the world. they have trusted the untrustworthy, had faith in the faithless, lead by the blind, deaf and dumb, and sometimes greedy (one is currently living in his penthouse in the melbourne cbd as i write this), to this sorry end.
the fallout of thirty years of mismanagement of the gov't and it's coffers is now being felt especially for the last couple of years and is now entering it's terminal stage.
the nation is down to it's last handful of millions. the white knight has to show up soon or i fear the country will literally sink.
so many big airlines have failed that the end of air nauru would simply be a little, insignificant plop in the history of airlines. it's only positive outcome would be as a study for prospective airline managers of how not to run an airline.
i already have enough knowledge and information to write my thesis for a masters degree in aviation business studies....aren't i lucky.
i apologise if this sounds like the ramblings of a bitter and twisted pilot, because quite simply, i am bitter and i am twisted with what has happened to my national carrier.
cheers to all, it's been a pleasure flying with you and hope to see you soon.
coco
Last edited by coco-nuts; 19th Dec 2005 at 01:07.
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I had a short time in operations at Air Nauru and even I could see the demise at sometime soon... not only through non-operational management incompetance but also the government policies and direction... not to say anything about the availability of capital through government debt to the airline.
It was staffed by some good people, both expat and local, and I'm sorry to see it go - if in fact that is the case.
It was staffed by some good people, both expat and local, and I'm sorry to see it go - if in fact that is the case.
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Nuts, long time no hear. I'm stoked you've got alternate employment, but what a sad, sad day it is. Although I know you, I can't pretend to know how it feels to watch what has happened there. Please get in touch mate.
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I echo Dale's sentiments, Nuts. I'm glad you got out, but I understand how sad it must be for you to watch the "businessmen" screw it up for a whole country, your country. Good luck to you mate, and I hope one day to raise a glass with you again.
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The Education and Health sectors were gutted and pillaged decades ago by those who still controlled the purse strings;it's a wonder that ON has lasted this long. But then again one must have be able to commute regularly to their nest eggs,doesn't one.
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The latest with Air Nauru is that they are first and foremost protecting their routes with the help of Air Vanuatu, Air Pacific, Alliance and a dry leased Qantas aircraft.
The Brisbane to Nauru, Majuro and Tarawa route is currently being chartered to Air Vanuatu and Alliance whilst the Nadi-Tarawa, by Air Pacific.
The Norfolk flights from Brisbane and Sydney will be operated by Air Nauru on a temporary arrangement with a leased Qantas 737 using Air Nauru crew.
Solomon Airlines had cancelled their codeshare partnership with Air Nauru.
It comes as a surprise to me I suppose, that potentially rival airlines had been willing to lend a hand. But they have and I guess Air Nauru would be grateful.
Meanwhile, it seems an agreement is being worked out by the Minister of Transport of the Nauru and the ExIm bank of America through a diplomatic appeal with the US Government and a restructured financial arrangement with several millions being paid up front already.
There seems to be talk of either continuing with the payments of VH-RON with payment in full within sight or getting rid of RON and straight out leasing a new -700.
There has also been a change of the Chairmanship with the Chief Pilot Capt K.P being appointed by the Nauru Government. That by far is possibly the most signficant change of all. This position had traditionally been exclusive to Nauruan nationals in the past 30 some years.
With this extraordinary choice, the Airline may well rise up from the ashes (Coco-nuts) for this gentleman is regarded as highly suited and qualified for this position and is respected in many circles within and without the industry.
So will the airline survive in light of the above with many more developments by the day? I dare think so. It is unfortunate that recent events had prompted.....no....forced some radical decisions to be made. But then again, N-a-u-r-u always stood for No Action Unless Required Urgently, and they do excel at that!
Meanwhile, sit back, relax, and watch this space.
Happy flying.
The Brisbane to Nauru, Majuro and Tarawa route is currently being chartered to Air Vanuatu and Alliance whilst the Nadi-Tarawa, by Air Pacific.
The Norfolk flights from Brisbane and Sydney will be operated by Air Nauru on a temporary arrangement with a leased Qantas 737 using Air Nauru crew.
Solomon Airlines had cancelled their codeshare partnership with Air Nauru.
It comes as a surprise to me I suppose, that potentially rival airlines had been willing to lend a hand. But they have and I guess Air Nauru would be grateful.
Meanwhile, it seems an agreement is being worked out by the Minister of Transport of the Nauru and the ExIm bank of America through a diplomatic appeal with the US Government and a restructured financial arrangement with several millions being paid up front already.
There seems to be talk of either continuing with the payments of VH-RON with payment in full within sight or getting rid of RON and straight out leasing a new -700.
There has also been a change of the Chairmanship with the Chief Pilot Capt K.P being appointed by the Nauru Government. That by far is possibly the most signficant change of all. This position had traditionally been exclusive to Nauruan nationals in the past 30 some years.
With this extraordinary choice, the Airline may well rise up from the ashes (Coco-nuts) for this gentleman is regarded as highly suited and qualified for this position and is respected in many circles within and without the industry.
So will the airline survive in light of the above with many more developments by the day? I dare think so. It is unfortunate that recent events had prompted.....no....forced some radical decisions to be made. But then again, N-a-u-r-u always stood for No Action Unless Required Urgently, and they do excel at that!
Meanwhile, sit back, relax, and watch this space.
Happy flying.
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KP as chairman, well my word that does impress me. ive heard that the minister has finally replaced his uncle... this move will help the airline although to be honest how much KP can do will depend on the govt keeping right out of the decision making process. if i know the man well enough he would have told the govt that if he takes the job then he must run the show without any interferance. the melbourne crowd must be running scared that their jobs might be repositioned to brisbane. cant be soon enough!!!!
cheers
coco
cheers
coco
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Totally agree with you c'nuts. Capt KP would never take the position with bumbling governmental interference. But I think the Minister for Transport knows that and I feel he'd be sensible enough, having come from the reformist government that had made many unorthodox decisions.
The example to refer to would be as you mentioned, the replacement of his own uncle of the chair.
Unfortunately, this government had made too many unpopular but painfully necessary decisions for the betterment and indeed the future of this island nation, that I doubt they would be around after the next elections!
If this is to occur, a new government would either take credit for any good outcome should any materialise between the short time between now and then, or, go against all the good but incomplete work done by the present government.
Re the Melbourne office staff, the current CEO had been instrumental in keeping that office in place since he is based there, apparent for cost purposes (go figure). It's akin to having the Singapore Airlines main office in Peru!!! For those unaware, Air Nauru doesn't even fly to Melbourne!
I believe that by doing so, the CEO had shot himself in the foot. The new Chairman KP would, I presume, be targeting the Melbourne office as one of his first objectives.
The argument by the CEO in keeping it open was the cost of paying out the 16 or so staffers there. Of course what he failed to mention to previous boards was the option of offering their currnet positions to be relocated to Brisbane, in which case the company would not be obliged to pay anyone out if the offer was refused.
Like I said, watch this space. Things are unravelling by the day.
Once again, happy flying.
The example to refer to would be as you mentioned, the replacement of his own uncle of the chair.
Unfortunately, this government had made too many unpopular but painfully necessary decisions for the betterment and indeed the future of this island nation, that I doubt they would be around after the next elections!
If this is to occur, a new government would either take credit for any good outcome should any materialise between the short time between now and then, or, go against all the good but incomplete work done by the present government.
Re the Melbourne office staff, the current CEO had been instrumental in keeping that office in place since he is based there, apparent for cost purposes (go figure). It's akin to having the Singapore Airlines main office in Peru!!! For those unaware, Air Nauru doesn't even fly to Melbourne!
I believe that by doing so, the CEO had shot himself in the foot. The new Chairman KP would, I presume, be targeting the Melbourne office as one of his first objectives.
The argument by the CEO in keeping it open was the cost of paying out the 16 or so staffers there. Of course what he failed to mention to previous boards was the option of offering their currnet positions to be relocated to Brisbane, in which case the company would not be obliged to pay anyone out if the offer was refused.
Like I said, watch this space. Things are unravelling by the day.
Once again, happy flying.
Last edited by Sal-e; 23rd Dec 2005 at 10:57.
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Well, what can one say?
The Nauru Government has not paid lease payments for over 2 years; have thumbed their noses at their obligations; and are now running around in a flap looking for a new aircraft. Like the rest of the industry, we wonder what they are going to pay with, if they have not been able comply with previous commitments.
The marketing bloke ('figjam'?) has been running around for years telling all who'd listen that the airline was very profitable & a lot of making money. It appears that he was right. It is always very easy if you never pay the bills!
What a mess the airline is today. Not too many years ago they were providing a much valued and economical service to the rest of the South Pacific; the passenger mix was very diverse; markets connected the South Pacific to Asian ports; the fares were balanced; and the system worked.
The new Chairbloke is a worry. He has a reputation for being very arrogant; one-eyed; and has excessive demands. It will be interesting to see if he is as good as his view of his own ability.
Only time will tell who is right and what the future will hold for our friends in Nauru.
The Nauru Government has not paid lease payments for over 2 years; have thumbed their noses at their obligations; and are now running around in a flap looking for a new aircraft. Like the rest of the industry, we wonder what they are going to pay with, if they have not been able comply with previous commitments.
The marketing bloke ('figjam'?) has been running around for years telling all who'd listen that the airline was very profitable & a lot of making money. It appears that he was right. It is always very easy if you never pay the bills!
What a mess the airline is today. Not too many years ago they were providing a much valued and economical service to the rest of the South Pacific; the passenger mix was very diverse; markets connected the South Pacific to Asian ports; the fares were balanced; and the system worked.
The new Chairbloke is a worry. He has a reputation for being very arrogant; one-eyed; and has excessive demands. It will be interesting to see if he is as good as his view of his own ability.
Only time will tell who is right and what the future will hold for our friends in Nauru.
Whatthef***!?!
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Seems these radio hams have been left stranded enroute to Kiribati:
http://www.ohpacificdx.com/?p=12
http://www.ohpacificdx.com/?p=12
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What, again?
Reminds me of another debacle in late 2000 / early 01' when TG "left": Arguments with the board, RON grounded, loss of routes, CASA and FAA chasing hard... I recall meeting one F/O had just bought a B737 endorsement at QF with a bank loan, for a job offer given personally in the MEL office, that then vanished. Welcome to the world of Pacific Islands airline management!
In my experience in 4 different SW Pacific countries, if the locals are in charge its better to trust in nothing and believe it will turn to sh*te sooner or later.
Hope the guys at Air Nauru can ride this one out, they are top blokes. Still maybe VB can take some more to replace those off to Emirates?
On ya KP - is it power by the hour?
In my experience in 4 different SW Pacific countries, if the locals are in charge its better to trust in nothing and believe it will turn to sh*te sooner or later.
Hope the guys at Air Nauru can ride this one out, they are top blokes. Still maybe VB can take some more to replace those off to Emirates?
On ya KP - is it power by the hour?
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I must say what a great friendly crew. About 3 years ago I had the chance to sit in one of the Air Nauru simulator training sessions at Essendon. Thankyou RB for that once in a lifetime dream (and the 2 other pilots i dont remember your name.. sorry)
I hope all goes well.
I hope all goes well.
Centaurus
I was fortunate enough to be on board a fairly recent flight to Tarawa with Air Nauru. It was top class cabin service and a highly professional Australian licenced flight crew. There has always been lingering doubts about the local government management of the airline from the time the it first started (1973?), but apart from a dodgy period back in the late Eighties when Indian Airlines pilots crewed the aircraft (shudder...) the flight crew have always had an enviable safety record. I sincerely hope the operation gets back on its feet because there is no doubt that it is a lifeline to those who live in the central pacific region.