Our Airline...What are they upto?
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The airline could quite easily operate under a foreign AOC and do what they do but they choose to fly under Aussie regulations unlike a lot of their competitors
The operation was rescued by one former Air nauru chief pilot then a consultant to the Government of Nauru, who made it clear the only way the airline could continue flying and satisfy the FAA and CASA was to come under the Australian AOC system and have its aircraft registered as VH-. This was essential for the survival of the operation otherwise the 737's may as well just flown their hours doing circuits and landings on Nauru.
This FAA interest stemmed from the Korean Air B747 crash at Guam, where the FAA were shaken by the circumstances surrounding that crash on US Trust territory. This included questions of Korean pilot competency, fatigue and a host of relevant flight safety issues.
Very quickly, FAA inspectors looked at foreign operators (including Air Nauru) landing at FAA jurisdiction airports such as Guam, saipan, Chuuk, Pohnpei, Majuro etc. Audits revealed serious problems with some foreign operators. While Air Nauru has had an excellent safety record since its inception in the early Seventies this was primarily due to mainly Australian crews including Ansett and Air New Zealand contracted engineering staff and the dedication of the Nauruan government to insisting on first class servicing.
After a disastrous strike in 1988 by the fledgling Nauru Air Pilots Assocation, the then President of Nauru, hired pilots from Indian Airlines and some Eastern European airlines to replace sacked Australian pilots. Immediately the airline operational standards dropped significantly. Eventually the Indian pilots left to be replaced by Australian crews who themselves had lost their own jobs during the 1989 AFAP punch-up.
Operational standards then improved and at the time of the Korean Air accident it was back to its former good standard but still not helped by lack of a competent local DCA. The move to Australian AOC and VH- registration was expensive but successful although the airline financial situation was dire as always with huge government subsidies until the phosphate money ran out to just a trickle.
To say the airline could operate easily under a foreign AOC is drawing a very long bow. The new Air Nauru (Our Airline) probably had little choice but to stick with its Australian AOC and attached operational standards, otherwise face intense scrutiny from Australian authorities and the FAA if and when the operation expanded into some of the former destinations controlled by or certainly influenced by the FAA. The comments above are a little generalised but not far wrong certainly in the history of the move to VH- registration of their aircraft.
Last edited by Tee Emm; 21st Mar 2009 at 02:43.
This FAA interest stemmed from the Korean Air B747 crash at Guam
the only way the airline could continue flying and satisfy the FAA and CASA was to come under the Australian AOC system
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You are very correct d and 3g's . I'm sure some of tee emm's points are correct but again it doesn't change the fact that today they could operate under a number of foreign AOCs instead of Australia as do Toll, Pac Blue,Heavylift etc. Therefore obviously not that long a bow and believe me their was still plenty of scrutiny even with the existing AOC, hence my point about the uneven playing field
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at the time of the KAL crash at GUM, Air Nauru was already operating under an Australian AOC. Willing to be corrected, but worth checking to be sure ..............
NZ then stopped Air Nauru carrying passengers to NZ. Following the New Zealand move, the FAA then down classified Air Nauru to a level 2 operator or similar low level grade. This prevented the airline from operating into US FAA airports such as Guam. As Nauru traditionally had closer ties with Australia than New Zealand particularly in relation to aviation matters, the obvious way out was to apply for an Australian AOC and have VH registration. It was a good move.
Last edited by Tee Emm; 22nd Mar 2009 at 03:51.
New CEO named for Our Airline
Posted at 05:06 on 20 March, 2009 UTC
Nauru’s national carrier Our Airline has named a new chief executive to head up its rapidly expanding operation.
Karam Chand will take over from Geoffrey Bowmaker, who has been acting in the position pending the new appointment.
The transition is expected to take place in mid-April.
Mr Chand has recently been working as Virgin Blue Airlines’ Head of Commercial (International) division, where he has spent the past nine years contributing to that airline’s expansion into the Pacific region through Pacific Blue and Polynesian Blue.
Overall, Mr. Chand’s professional career spans 15 years as a senior airline executive in the South Pacific aviation sector.
His appointment comes after Our Airline’s recent acquisition of a second aircraft to service the Norfolk Air routes and the prospect of successful negotiations with Kiribati and Fiji to enable the airline to resume the Tarawa - Majuro - Fiji service.
Nauru’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Finance and Acting Minister for Transport, Dr. Kieren Keke described the appointment as a "major coup" for the Nauruan carrier.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International
PO Box 123, Wellington, New Zealand
Nauru’s national carrier Our Airline has named a new chief executive to head up its rapidly expanding operation.
Karam Chand will take over from Geoffrey Bowmaker, who has been acting in the position pending the new appointment.
The transition is expected to take place in mid-April.
Mr Chand has recently been working as Virgin Blue Airlines’ Head of Commercial (International) division, where he has spent the past nine years contributing to that airline’s expansion into the Pacific region through Pacific Blue and Polynesian Blue.
Overall, Mr. Chand’s professional career spans 15 years as a senior airline executive in the South Pacific aviation sector.
His appointment comes after Our Airline’s recent acquisition of a second aircraft to service the Norfolk Air routes and the prospect of successful negotiations with Kiribati and Fiji to enable the airline to resume the Tarawa - Majuro - Fiji service.
Nauru’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Finance and Acting Minister for Transport, Dr. Kieren Keke described the appointment as a "major coup" for the Nauruan carrier.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International
PO Box 123, Wellington, New Zealand
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Interesting Situation
I think we can all assume that OA is basically an Australian Airline. The owner as listed is the Government of Nauru, but the OPERATOR is Nauru Air Corp. The aircraft is registered VH.
I thought that all foreign airlines that operate into Australia and NZ are required to hold an AOC in Aust and NZ.
Foreign registered aircraft are permitted to conduct charter within Australia with special approvals for each flight. Every time.
Does OA hold a domestic AOC in Aust or an International AOC? Probably both. The aussie rego was a very good idea indeed. I dont think it will save them though.
Will OA increase their frequency into Nauru, last time I checked they were only going twice a week? Do they have the numbers to expand. And do they need crew??
And finally, is the young, tall blonde still working there?
I thought that all foreign airlines that operate into Australia and NZ are required to hold an AOC in Aust and NZ.
Foreign registered aircraft are permitted to conduct charter within Australia with special approvals for each flight. Every time.
Does OA hold a domestic AOC in Aust or an International AOC? Probably both. The aussie rego was a very good idea indeed. I dont think it will save them though.
Will OA increase their frequency into Nauru, last time I checked they were only going twice a week? Do they have the numbers to expand. And do they need crew??
And finally, is the young, tall blonde still working there?
Last edited by blackbandit; 25th Mar 2009 at 00:29.
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Why would you need to go to Nauru more then twice a week as there are only 8000 people there. Who is the young tall blond you are refering to If you mean aircrew she has brown hair and is still there . Top girl and good at her job
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We need two aircraft as we do more than just fly to Nauru.We have already hired to cover Norfolk and both a/c are 300's We will need more crew but we have more applicalations then we will ever need but still they come and we consider all . What about your tall blonde?
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Saw "NLK" the other day,the new “Norfolk Air” livery, looks very nice indeed.
Is "NLK" and crew to be based to be based on the island?
The Norfolk Air website shows current utilisation at just on 40 hours a week, together with two non flying days.
Wondering if 40 hours is maybe a little of an underkill for a 737-300?
Those two none flying days could certainly be utilised, although if based on Norfolk may prove to be a little expensive to ferry.
Being based on the island would be a bit of a bonus for the crew though, tax free salary...nice!!
As said, aircraft looks good, an appropriate rego to cap it off, looking like a good start for the service.
Is "NLK" and crew to be based to be based on the island?
The Norfolk Air website shows current utilisation at just on 40 hours a week, together with two non flying days.
Wondering if 40 hours is maybe a little of an underkill for a 737-300?
Those two none flying days could certainly be utilised, although if based on Norfolk may prove to be a little expensive to ferry.
Being based on the island would be a bit of a bonus for the crew though, tax free salary...nice!!
As said, aircraft looks good, an appropriate rego to cap it off, looking like a good start for the service.
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I guess anything looks good next to the old OJ paintjob but I find the colours a little dull.Aircraft and crew are to be rotated but both will overnight at NLK. Tax free would be nice but unfortunately not to be except for the local cabin crew who work for the government and not Our Airline.Utilisation varies with the seasons.
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Feenix you state:
I guess anything looks good next to the old OJ paintjob but I find the colours a little dull.
Actually, the OJ aircraft operated for Norfolk Air is painted in an extremely similar manner to the scheme found on the new OA aircraft, so your quote may be just a little self serving.
It is interesting that you state that the OA/Norfolk Air colors are a little dull though,….. I know for a fact that those on the Island don’t share your view, and really do have a lot of pride in the colour and the aircraft livery.
By the way those same dull colors form the basis of the islands tourism drive.
Leaving that aside, I see where you come from when you say that Utilisation varies with the seasons. Isn't that the rub, OA take over the contract close to the top of the season. Hours do drop off in the off season. Now that will get a little sad!!
Enjoy.
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Sayallafter I disagree as I think the new scheme differs as much as possible from the OJ scheme while still maintaining its theme. I am not knocking the colours, simply saying I would have chosen something brighter. Utilisation won't be much different from when we first did the contract in the 400 and down time is needed for maintenace etc. It is no surprise to anyone and has all been allowed for in contract negotiations. Things due to start in May although the aircraft has done a couple of flights to the island due to OJ unavailibility.
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Utilisation won't be much different from when we first did the contract in the 400 and down time is needed for maintenace etc
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Your not wrong the aircraft was not based there but there was also a lot less flying but as a ratio of todays network it is very simular. The numbers add up otherwise the aircraft would not have been purchased. There will be aircraft substitution to allow for maintenance and overall any airline would be happy with hours each aircraft will average.