New airline to serve MoD airbridge contract to Falklands
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New airline to serve MoD airbridge contract to Falklands
Heard a rumour about this, not sure if its hangar talk but hopefully someone may shed some more light.
I was told that with the demise of Globespan the MoD had to find a replacement quickly to continue to the flights via Ascension Island. As a result they opted for Air Mauritius despite not insisting they employ any recently unemployed pilots on the ACMI contract.
A former Globespan employee approached the MoD with a proposal that a new UK company could be formed to facilitate this route. He asked for an extra few days from the cut-off for the bidding process (I understand it was for CAA/AOC/Sub hiring issues and red tape). MoD told him no and it was scuppered - well at least until the Autumn of this year when the contract is up for renewal with Air Mauritius.
Regardless the MoD may wish to explain why no caveat was given to Air Seychelles regarding UK based pilots when so many were made redundant and the direct experience at flying the route available. BALPA may also be party to not advocating this too, I'm not sure of their involvement.
Has anyone else heard of this?
I was told that with the demise of Globespan the MoD had to find a replacement quickly to continue to the flights via Ascension Island. As a result they opted for Air Mauritius despite not insisting they employ any recently unemployed pilots on the ACMI contract.
A former Globespan employee approached the MoD with a proposal that a new UK company could be formed to facilitate this route. He asked for an extra few days from the cut-off for the bidding process (I understand it was for CAA/AOC/Sub hiring issues and red tape). MoD told him no and it was scuppered - well at least until the Autumn of this year when the contract is up for renewal with Air Mauritius.
Regardless the MoD may wish to explain why no caveat was given to Air Seychelles regarding UK based pilots when so many were made redundant and the direct experience at flying the route available. BALPA may also be party to not advocating this too, I'm not sure of their involvement.
Has anyone else heard of this?
Last edited by Dreamshiner; 27th Jun 2010 at 18:59.
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Further to original post, anyone know what BALPA actually said or did about this contract?
There must have been UK airlines with the capacity to have filled the hole left by Globespan.
There must have been UK airlines with the capacity to have filled the hole left by Globespan.
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when does air tanker get it's first aircraft ? when will it start this route ? and what is going to happen to the RAF guys flying the VC-10 do they get put on this or is it civy pilots ?
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"Balpa should have no say at all. If a UK airline refuses to enter a bid, or enters a too high bid then that is their perogative - Balpa, like many of us aviators are only virtual, senior airline managers and have no place in the commercial decission making process of an individual airline - (sorry, mini rant over)"
However if an overseas company does win the contract and then has to hire additional staff to facilitate the contract then it would be very easy for the MoD to make it a condition of the awarding of the contract .... no?
Also, apologies it was Air Seychelles, amended first post accordingly.
However if an overseas company does win the contract and then has to hire additional staff to facilitate the contract then it would be very easy for the MoD to make it a condition of the awarding of the contract .... no?
Also, apologies it was Air Seychelles, amended first post accordingly.
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Saskatoon9999, thanks for your reply.
Do you know how many UK operators entered a bid after Globespan collapsed?
With respect your other point, it fails to appreciate the realities of the UK airline industry in the last year or so. An operator may well be able to get 2 Orlando rotations in the same timeframe but would they currently have enough pax to make any money on 2 rotations?
Contracts such as these are an important way for airlines to retain aircraft and crews, even if done at cost, to avoid the future potential expanse of recruiting and training new crews and obtaining extra aircraft if the airline feels their business may improve in 12/18 mths time and they want to be ready. This was probably Globespans motivation.
Balpa has a duty to speak up in these instances. They represent many now unemployed pilots in the UK. They should be lobbying government to advocate a British airline for MOD contracts if a British bidder was interested and if a British airline was not interested Balpa/MOD should be asking why not. I probably missed it but if anyone can detail Balpas efforts on this front it would be much appreciated. I only ask as I am on the verge of leaving Balpa (due to other recent action/inaction) and this may tip the balance.
Can you imagine the French MOD giving a similar contract to a non French airline?
Do you know how many UK operators entered a bid after Globespan collapsed?
With respect your other point, it fails to appreciate the realities of the UK airline industry in the last year or so. An operator may well be able to get 2 Orlando rotations in the same timeframe but would they currently have enough pax to make any money on 2 rotations?
Contracts such as these are an important way for airlines to retain aircraft and crews, even if done at cost, to avoid the future potential expanse of recruiting and training new crews and obtaining extra aircraft if the airline feels their business may improve in 12/18 mths time and they want to be ready. This was probably Globespans motivation.
Balpa has a duty to speak up in these instances. They represent many now unemployed pilots in the UK. They should be lobbying government to advocate a British airline for MOD contracts if a British bidder was interested and if a British airline was not interested Balpa/MOD should be asking why not. I probably missed it but if anyone can detail Balpas efforts on this front it would be much appreciated. I only ask as I am on the verge of leaving Balpa (due to other recent action/inaction) and this may tip the balance.
Can you imagine the French MOD giving a similar contract to a non French airline?
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Surely DSCOM's remit is to provide the best value for money to the UK tax-payer, not to employ out of work airline pilots, much as that might be one's preferred option. Obviously flight safety is over-riding, but with that as a given, why should they shore up the UK airline industry?
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As many private business's, and governments, have discovered, money circulating through your own system generates returns far above the nominal value of the cash concerned. On the other hand money spent on anything outside of your sphere is influence is lost.
Foreign aid given to an overseas country, with the condition that it's spent on goods and services from the donor country is mutually beneficial.
Any goverment department spending money should have, as part of it's remit, to ensure wherever possible, that some of that money should be coming back to it's home economy. Even if at first sight that's not the cheapest option.
Foreign aid given to an overseas country, with the condition that it's spent on goods and services from the donor country is mutually beneficial.
Any goverment department spending money should have, as part of it's remit, to ensure wherever possible, that some of that money should be coming back to it's home economy. Even if at first sight that's not the cheapest option.
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And how honest would the bidding process be if the interested UK airlines knew that the MoD were obligated to place the contract with one of them?
Of course, UK airlines participating in price-fixing cartels would be unthinkable, wouldn't it?
Of course, UK airlines participating in price-fixing cartels would be unthinkable, wouldn't it?
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Chaps - MOD driven by cost not who flys the aircraft...Suspect Air Sey had a spare aircraft loitering - i know of least 1 ex Globespan driver (UK) who went there but i think he bailed out to Emirates. 
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Has anyone actually asked the question of was there a UK operator that actually had a spare airframe that they could commit for the length of the contract? Spare airframes during the summer months are somewhat of a novelty, especially for the charter operators that would probably be best placed for step in for this operation.
ACMI/Leasing played a major role with Globespan. For most other UK airlines, it is more of a seasonal affair for those that dabble in the leasing market.
ACMI/Leasing played a major role with Globespan. For most other UK airlines, it is more of a seasonal affair for those that dabble in the leasing market.
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I'm sure Thomson (who were releasing 150 or so pilots a few months ago) would have had the credability and longevity in the industry to approach a leasing company for a 767 or two parked up in the Californian desert for a 12-18 month contract. If the leasing company said no, then fair enough they tried and it would have been some money in the bank they spurned .... or am I being too simplistic?
So the government helps out the banks by putting pressure on other UK banks to buy up the failing ones ..... they did it with Rover too, however god forbid it happens in our industry.
So the government helps out the banks by putting pressure on other UK banks to buy up the failing ones ..... they did it with Rover too, however god forbid it happens in our industry.
Another quickpoint to remember here is that after the demise of GSM a replacement for the airbridge was required fast....no pussy footing around of companies saying yes we can do it - once we source suitable aircraft that is!
Credit due to MoD Commercial for actually carrying out a timely tender exercise, downselecting and arranging for a fairly quick and cost effective start up date at BZN.
Nivsy
Credit due to MoD Commercial for actually carrying out a timely tender exercise, downselecting and arranging for a fairly quick and cost effective start up date at BZN.
Nivsy
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Has anyone actually asked the question of was there a UK operator that actually had a spare airframe that they could commit for the length of the contract?
I agree with many of the points raised above, but......
I don't see what this has to do with BALPA. If the contract was to support the MOD and fly into Afghanistan 3 times a day, and UK airlines turned it down, would BALPA force them?
If the answers No, then BALPA has no place in the proceedings.
I don't see what this has to do with BALPA. If the contract was to support the MOD and fly into Afghanistan 3 times a day, and UK airlines turned it down, would BALPA force them?
If the answers No, then BALPA has no place in the proceedings.
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Fair enough mate, however the contract was to fly from Brize to Ascension and then onto Stanley. No war zone for a while, just ETOPS qualified, an understanding partner and a love of penguins required.
It was awarded to a foreign carrier and despite the recent demise of the previous contract holder no caveat was put on hiring any of their staff.
I can understand the MoD's rational with respect to urgency but it wasn't urgent enough they could have discussed or added an extra line to the contract.
Military contracts are notorious for their waste of money and oversights among the informed members of our population and current/past serving members of HM Forces. BALPA's failings (true or perceived) have also been thoroughly discussed.
I and many ex-GSM pilots now bonded to gulf airlines are probably wondering why their corner wasn't fought with a bit more guile.
It was awarded to a foreign carrier and despite the recent demise of the previous contract holder no caveat was put on hiring any of their staff.
I can understand the MoD's rational with respect to urgency but it wasn't urgent enough they could have discussed or added an extra line to the contract.
Military contracts are notorious for their waste of money and oversights among the informed members of our population and current/past serving members of HM Forces. BALPA's failings (true or perceived) have also been thoroughly discussed.
I and many ex-GSM pilots now bonded to gulf airlines are probably wondering why their corner wasn't fought with a bit more guile.
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I believe the airline that took over at short notice is experienced in ETOPS, also flying to isolated aerodromes (seychelles), national carrier (LESS likely to go bust), and spare 767 to start tomorrow.i think also the cheapest and most flexible.
they also employ british and european flight deck. Not to mention they employed around 15-20 ex globespan cabin crew.
Aviation is not a charity, and i would imagine HM forces are not one either...they want the job done, and cant compute being let down by other airlines.
unfortunately the world, especially aviation is not covered in milk and honey anymore.
BALPA?...too busy counting their subscription coffers from BA to give a real monkeys.
they also employ british and european flight deck. Not to mention they employed around 15-20 ex globespan cabin crew.
Aviation is not a charity, and i would imagine HM forces are not one either...they want the job done, and cant compute being let down by other airlines.
unfortunately the world, especially aviation is not covered in milk and honey anymore.
BALPA?...too busy counting their subscription coffers from BA to give a real monkeys.
