RAK Airways Threads Merged
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fractional,
It might be that: "The colour of the money, neputism, total indiffference among many other issues are much more relevant". But fact of the matter is that
If there is a Board Of Directors or something like it. Do they not ask themselves why their airline project is dusty and not shining. If there are investors. Do they not care.
The only ones that have gained something from this are the pilots who got a B757 type rating on their licenses. Problem is that they might have to pay out of their own pocket for the next sim check
It might be that: "The colour of the money, neputism, total indiffference among many other issues are much more relevant". But fact of the matter is that
- they have now been spending money like no tomorrow for close to one and a half year without having achieved anything else than a fancy office set-up,
- staff being hired and fired,
- number three CEO trying to launch the airline,
- number four VP Flight Operation (number three is back home according to a post on this thread),
- number three VP Training (think number two left a month ago),
- pilots checked out on the B737-300 they bought and sold again before it even came close to the UAE,
- the same pilots given a B757 type rating,
- an aircraft sitting on the tarmac in RAK leaking hydraulic fluid (I read on this thread), or a troublesome thrust reverser,
- flashes in UAE newspapers telling the readers when they are going to launch their services,
If there is a Board Of Directors or something like it. Do they not ask themselves why their airline project is dusty and not shining. If there are investors. Do they not care.
The only ones that have gained something from this are the pilots who got a B757 type rating on their licenses. Problem is that they might have to pay out of their own pocket for the next sim check
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The difficulty??
The fact of the matter is that the UAE Aviation Authority wants Nationals to have the "postholder jobs" at RAK and specifically in Flight Ops.
I have spoken to two individuals who were not UAE Nationals, they were offered VP Ops and Chief Pilot positions. The offers were later retracted because they were not UAE Nationals.
I have spoken to two individuals who were not UAE Nationals, they were offered VP Ops and Chief Pilot positions. The offers were later retracted because they were not UAE Nationals.
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Asia757,
It is hard to believe that the UAE GCAA would have any objections to Post Holders not holding a UAE passport. Would you care to give us more on where you got that information.
To other people,
Are they operating or are they not
EGGW,
About trainers on the cheap-----are you referring to cockpit or cabin trainers, or both? We know that the CEO comes from India, but reading your post I think you say more people from India have moved into the office. In itself; nothing wrong with that. They will be cheaper to keep for the investors. Nothing wrong with that either as long as they are professional aviation people.
Hamra and RAK stumbled through the AOC process for more months than normal. Finally they hired a Post Holder Flight Operation (VP Flight Operation in that company
) from Scandinavia with the right experience for the task, and whoops, AOC back in Ras Al Khaimah. But I guess both he and the Head Of Training were too expensive to keep. Or may be they were too demanding when it came to questions about what is needed to run a pro airline operation 
If that outfit still sits on ground, I bet we are all going to read about a new CEO in the near future. Hopefully this time they will get it right.
It is hard to believe that the UAE GCAA would have any objections to Post Holders not holding a UAE passport. Would you care to give us more on where you got that information.
To other people,
Are they operating or are they not
EGGW,
A mate of mine was head hunted by RAK, has been down here twice. The first time he was offered CP position, was not interested after seeing this mickey mouse operation. Seems they are hiring trainers on the cheap, i wish all you lot, that have been hired good luck. Them Indians are now in charge...
The 757 is parked up with a shagged thrust reverser, plus other things by the sounds of it.
The 757 is parked up with a shagged thrust reverser, plus other things by the sounds of it.
Hamra and RAK stumbled through the AOC process for more months than normal. Finally they hired a Post Holder Flight Operation (VP Flight Operation in that company
) from Scandinavia with the right experience for the task, and whoops, AOC back in Ras Al Khaimah. But I guess both he and the Head Of Training were too expensive to keep. Or may be they were too demanding when it came to questions about what is needed to run a pro airline operation If that outfit still sits on ground, I bet we are all going to read about a new CEO in the near future. Hopefully this time they will get it right.
Last edited by 737BBJ; 6th May 2007 at 07:44.
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See my previous post predicting the latest launch date will be missed.
Check out http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles.../10122315.html
2007 itself is being called into question. The new CEO realises there is still 'much groundwork to be done.'
Like getting postholders for flight ops and training. Fixing the only aircraft in the fleet so it can be added to the AOC. Etc.
And for all those innocent little darlings the reason Indians are preferred is because they are cheaper to employ. It's a fact, and their recruitment policy from the top down is based on that. It may be abhorrent but it's true. I bet there aren't many western expats in the cement factory, or working on the many construction sites in RAK......
Sources there predict some disquiet in the ranks.....
Check out http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles.../10122315.html
2007 itself is being called into question. The new CEO realises there is still 'much groundwork to be done.'
Like getting postholders for flight ops and training. Fixing the only aircraft in the fleet so it can be added to the AOC. Etc.
And for all those innocent little darlings the reason Indians are preferred is because they are cheaper to employ. It's a fact, and their recruitment policy from the top down is based on that. It may be abhorrent but it's true. I bet there aren't many western expats in the cement factory, or working on the many construction sites in RAK......
Sources there predict some disquiet in the ranks.....
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Who said it is going to be easy.
I picked up these quotes from the link riakar gave us:
Dubai: Plans to launch commercial service for RAK Airways again seem to be on hold after it missed its latest target launch date of April.
"Before we start flying there is much groundwork still to be done," new CEO Kishu Teckchandani, told Gulf News.
"Before we start flying there is much groundwork still to be done," new CEO Kishu Teckchandani, told Gulf News.
What puzzles me is that with all the staff they have hired over the past year, there is still much groundwork to be done. One of the reasons must be not enough staff with the right experience and background. It should not take three CEOs to set that straight. Or may be it does.
Yesterday, the new chief executive refused to speculate whether the airline would even launch in 2007. "We don't want to make any statements [on a launch date] because we don't want to raise hopes," he said.
Well, giving his employees hopes is probably the best thing he can do at this time of the day. It must be hard, if not impossible, to maintain some sort of enthusiasm in RAK. So what is he going to do? Give them leave of absence until January 2008? That, at least, would reduce the cost side of his project. A cost side which mut be enormous. Fair enough that it takes a bit of money to set up an airline, but keeping the number of employees they have today when they still remain a project without a set launch date, cannot impress the investors.
Teckchandani said RAK Airways was still negotiating air traffic rights with India and Iran, two countries that figure prominently in its planned network.
Correct me if I am wrong, but you do need an AOC for the fleet you are going to operate before you can enter into negotiations over traffic rights? RAK got the AOC back (the old Hamra Air AOC for the Hawker and another multi engine aircraft). Is the 757 on the AOC by now?
Teckchandani also said the airline still needed to procure its second leased aircraft, although it does have the necessary cabin crew and pilots on staff.
If by that quote the CEO says that they need two aircraft to launch, the unavoidable question is why did they not think about that at an earlier stage. Their last launch estimate was for April, and they still need to procure a second aircraft? Project planning cannot be their strong side.
"We are making fine, steady progress, and we hope to begin flying very soon," he said.
But he is giving the employees hope for a future. If it is going to be bright remains to be seen. Or do the staff not buy into a comment like that. If not, I would guess the pilots are the first to look for another crew room.
riakar, (rakair)
I just looked at the RAK Airways web site and there are still two pictures missing on the management page: the VP Flight Operation and VP Training. Obviously the two gentlemen holding these positions are no longer in RAK. So what is the situation. New guys/girls in the pipeline?
riakar, (rakair)
I just looked at the RAK Airways web site and there are still two pictures missing on the management page: the VP Flight Operation and VP Training. Obviously the two gentlemen holding these positions are no longer in RAK. So what is the situation. New guys/girls in the pipeline?
Last edited by 737BBJ; 9th May 2007 at 09:34.
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Rather dusty, needs a wash
They were out doing some ground service training, ( I think) yesterday.
RKA needs a good wash.
I have pics, but not able to post, sorry.
Glf
RKA needs a good wash.
I have pics, but not able to post, sorry.
Glf
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In the newspaper in Mumbai there are advertisements for the post of Vp Flight Ops and Head of FLight trainingfor Rak Airways .Also Oman Airreq first officers on B737NG and Kuwait Airways req Captains and First Officers.
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RAK Airways (finally airborne)
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RAK Flying??
Today at 12:00 local I was passing overhead of Dubai at FL360 and heard Rak Air talking with control, heading to Doha VOR. Not sure what they were doing but they were airbourne.
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