Menzies’ 116 employees to know fate in a week
Employees of ground-handling firm Menzies Aviation will know where they stand once the High Court makes a decision regarding operations at the Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA) on 3 October, its country manager for Namibia, Emile Smith, said.
Menzies is challenging the processes into the awarding of a ground-handling contract to Paragon Aviation Services, and has approached the High Court with a litany of legal attacks.
Smith was quizzed on the future of the company’s employees while it is embroiled in a legal battle with the Namibia Airports Company (NAC) over its eviction from HKIA as the ground-handling services firm.
Save for some resignations, the company currently employs 116 individuals, he said.
“We are waiting for a judgment on 3 October, and the company will make a decision thereafter.”
Smith also dispelled any notions that the company was withholding salaries from employees, saying workers are being paid on time.
“Every single person working for Menzies was paid their salaries on 22 September. Every single employee,” he said.
Failed appeal
Menzies was evicted from HKIA on 19 August and replaced by Paragon, which is in a joint-venture arrangement with Ethiopian Airlines.
Menzies has been providing ground-handling services since 2014, but failed in its appeal against the NAC’s request for it to vacate the premises so that Paragon can take over operations.
Menzies signed a five-year contract with the airport in 2014. The agreement lapsed on 31 December 2021, and was subject to right of renewal for a three-year period.
Prior to the termination, new bids were invited, and both parties agreed to a six-month extension until 30 June 2022.
Paragon's application was successful during the bidding process, while Menzies' was denied on the grounds of non-compliance with certain lender conditions.
As such, Menzies was meant to vacate NAC premises by the date agreed to in the extension.
Menzies is challenging the processes into the awarding of a ground-handling contract to Paragon Aviation Services, and has approached the High Court with a litany of legal attacks.
Smith was quizzed on the future of the company’s employees while it is embroiled in a legal battle with the Namibia Airports Company (NAC) over its eviction from HKIA as the ground-handling services firm.
Save for some resignations, the company currently employs 116 individuals, he said.
“We are waiting for a judgment on 3 October, and the company will make a decision thereafter.”
Smith also dispelled any notions that the company was withholding salaries from employees, saying workers are being paid on time.
“Every single person working for Menzies was paid their salaries on 22 September. Every single employee,” he said.
Failed appeal
Menzies was evicted from HKIA on 19 August and replaced by Paragon, which is in a joint-venture arrangement with Ethiopian Airlines.
Menzies has been providing ground-handling services since 2014, but failed in its appeal against the NAC’s request for it to vacate the premises so that Paragon can take over operations.
Menzies signed a five-year contract with the airport in 2014. The agreement lapsed on 31 December 2021, and was subject to right of renewal for a three-year period.
Prior to the termination, new bids were invited, and both parties agreed to a six-month extension until 30 June 2022.
Paragon's application was successful during the bidding process, while Menzies' was denied on the grounds of non-compliance with certain lender conditions.
As such, Menzies was meant to vacate NAC premises by the date agreed to in the extension.
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