Avient making headlines again
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@africa man "you don't want to get grounded in Europe too many times"
Not sure whether Avient generally needs to be afraid of SAFA inspectors. I have witnessed a ramp inspecton of Z-AVT by german LBA with no findings.
Not sure whether Avient generally needs to be afraid of SAFA inspectors. I have witnessed a ramp inspecton of Z-AVT by german LBA with no findings.
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Relocation of European Hub
If Avient owe a large sum to Vatry airport it would explain their overnight departure and relocation to Liege. Can't see it being very long before those owed get a lien placed onto aircraft somewhere in Europe....?

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All things being equal, all the questions asked, dubious history and activities, allegations and circumstances - perhaps we have Europe's own version of the original Flying Tigers of yore.
Untouchable and a different set of rules?
Untouchable and a different set of rules?
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Vatry accusations
Vatry's views and Avient response on Air Cargo News website..
Air Cargo News :: The World's Best Read Air Cargo Newspaper
Air Cargo News :: The World's Best Read Air Cargo Newspaper
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In my personal experience, I would think that the truth lies somewhere in the middle. Relations were not good for a long time, but the assertion was (when I was last in the know) Vatry were owed substantial amounts for all sorts of services.
I will be pleasantly shocked if all the bills are paid. My opinion is, I don't believe it.
As for "honourable", I think that perhaps Mr. Smith and I would have different definitions as to what that actually means. I saw no evidence of that when I met him from time to time. He's, quite frankly, quite an unpleasant individual.
I will be pleasantly shocked if all the bills are paid. My opinion is, I don't believe it.
As for "honourable", I think that perhaps Mr. Smith and I would have different definitions as to what that actually means. I saw no evidence of that when I met him from time to time. He's, quite frankly, quite an unpleasant individual.
Last edited by Dengue_Dude; 12th Sep 2009 at 23:11.
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Oh please, can we not use the words 'honourable' and 'Smith' in the same discussion. It's just too much to bear.
I wonder how many of his customers will continue to provide cargo knowing full well that it may end up being impounded in the middle of a legal spat between Avient and Vatry. The last thing they would want is their cargo sitting on an aircraft which has a lien taped to it.
Smith seems to be pushing his luck if he is counter claiming against Vatry for 'sub-standard service' and lost cargo etc (according to his comment in ACN) He did after all employ his own staff to oversee the wharehouse operation in XCR!
I wonder how many of his customers will continue to provide cargo knowing full well that it may end up being impounded in the middle of a legal spat between Avient and Vatry. The last thing they would want is their cargo sitting on an aircraft which has a lien taped to it.
Smith seems to be pushing his luck if he is counter claiming against Vatry for 'sub-standard service' and lost cargo etc (according to his comment in ACN) He did after all employ his own staff to oversee the wharehouse operation in XCR!

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Andrew Smith and his Zimbabwean cohort Lewis Kling are honourable people indeed, sure Mugabe strongman Air Marshall Perence Shiri and the other Zimbabwean Generals will give them a glowing testimonial, - but not help to pay the outstanding bills.
Wonder if Andy's spat with the Vatry Airport Authority is now going to cause bad blood in the family, surely if he had a problem with services and standards at Vatry, the brother in law (Vatry Airport Manager) could easily have resolved.
The wheel might turn slowly Mr Smith but it turns and all good things come to pass.
Its time to account now. Liege please know what you are letting yourselves in for!
Wonder if Andy's spat with the Vatry Airport Authority is now going to cause bad blood in the family, surely if he had a problem with services and standards at Vatry, the brother in law (Vatry Airport Manager) could easily have resolved.
The wheel might turn slowly Mr Smith but it turns and all good things come to pass.
Its time to account now. Liege please know what you are letting yourselves in for!
Last edited by AAL; 13th Sep 2009 at 14:20.
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now down to one DC10 flying
Heard it may have been one of their own engineers driving a cherry-picker under the wing and clouted it! If that is true, someone will definitely be sent down the salt mines in Zim!
There is also word that the lack of aircraft availability may be caused by a piece of ground equipment parked behind one of the fleet (maybe at the behest of Vatry....?) - surely that couldn't be true
There is also word that the lack of aircraft availability may be caused by a piece of ground equipment parked behind one of the fleet (maybe at the behest of Vatry....?) - surely that couldn't be true

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Mrs S will be doing her nuts!
I wonder if the Mx chappy had a work permit to let him live and work in Belgium? I gather from the people in Vatry that a lot of the Mx staff were recruited in Africa, The frenchies turned a blind eye to it, would the Belgium Authoritys be so forgiving?
I wonder if the Mx chappy had a work permit to let him live and work in Belgium? I gather from the people in Vatry that a lot of the Mx staff were recruited in Africa, The frenchies turned a blind eye to it, would the Belgium Authoritys be so forgiving?

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"Avient have moved to a base in Belgium, I have been told".
I wonder if you could do some research and tell us which base in Belgium they have moved to?
As a suggestion, you could start with Post #37 on Page 2 of this very thread.
Please report back when you have the answer.
I wonder if you could do some research and tell us which base in Belgium they have moved to?
As a suggestion, you could start with Post #37 on Page 2 of this very thread.
Please report back when you have the answer.
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Some pics of the avient bird(s) (check the background too) in LGG
MST-Aviation.nl - Euregional Aviation Portal
MST-Aviation.nl - Euregional Aviation Portal
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Flying Tigers comparison
To mention Avient in the same breath as Flying Tigers is the most laughable comment I have seen on PPRuNe. Suspect AAL must suffer from an extended lack of oxygen at 38,000 feet.