FlyNamibia butts heads with ex-Air Namibia pilot

FlyNamibia and its affiliate Westair Aviation have officially objected against the registration of Fly Etosha Airways, citing serious safety concerns as the reason.It also listed reasons such as a lack of resources, aircraft-maintenance facilities, ground-handling facilities, insurance cover and personnel for the objection.FlyNamibia has meanwhile rejected any claims that this objection was launched to deter another airline from starting operations and thus discouraging competition.The new airline’s application to provide air transport services was published in the Government Gazette on 23 January and time was provided for objections to be submitted until Tuesday this week to the secretary of the Transport Commission of Namibia.Documents were submitted through FlyNamibia and Westair’s attorneys, Ellis and Partners, opposing the application for granting a non-scheduled air transport service licence to Fly Etosha Airways.The application for the licence was filed by captain William Ekandjo, a retired Air Namibia pilot who wants to plough his knowledge and experience back after decades at the liquidated national airline.According to the documents, Ekandjo failed dismally to provide the commission with sufficient proof that he will be able to render a safe, satisfactory and reliable air service in respect of continuity, frequency, punctuality, reasonable charges and general efficiency.Ekandjo told Namibian Sun that he is not worried at all about the objections that have been submitted.‘We welcome competition’“It is normal in any business and competition. We welcome any competition.”He added that if they did not have all the provisions to start an airline, they would not have applied.“It is their opinion. We have followed what you called a checklist and all the requirements are in place.”The documents claimed the publication of the application is defective as Ekandjo failed to publish any details under the proposed tariff and charges or fares, but merely stated that it is not applicable.With regards to lack of resources, it said Ekandjo also failed to provide proof that he maintains or will acquire sufficient capital to commence with the airline and thereafter render a safe, satisfactory air service.In the documents, it is further pointed out that according to the application, Ekandjo currently owns 12 aircraft valued at, “on his own admission”, between N$670 and N$950 million.He intends to lease the aircraft, whose monthly fixed rental combined will amount to no less than approximately N$74 million.“The applicant [also] intends to purchase aircraft to the value of roughly N$1.6 billion.”It further claimed that Ekandjo does not own the aircraft as is alleged in the application, and said no proof of such ownership has been provided.No insuranceAccording to its application, FlyEtosha already owns three Cessna Grand Caravans, three Beech 1900s, three King Air 350s, an ATR 42, a Dash 8 and an F-50. It intends to lease another 12 aircraft and later purchase another 21 aircraft, it is reported in the Government Gazette.Regarding maintenance facilities, FlyNamibia and Westair said Ekandjo has failed to provide a single maintenance agreement that has been entered into with organisations listed in his application, and therefore there is no proof that these organisations have agreed to render their services.It was also noted that most of the aircraft listed in the application require substantial and complex ground-handling equipment, which is rendered by third parties, and again no proof was provided that suppliers have agreed to render these services.“The applicant fails to provide proof from an insurer that his intended airline, aircraft and generally his operations shall be duly insured against risk and at such sums which can be expected from an airline of this magnitude.”The companies further pointed out that three of the seven pilot licences enclosed in the application were expired, and they are only able to fly two of the 12 aircraft types intended to be used in the fleet.Meanwhile, all of the 28 submitted cabin crew licences have expired, and are also rated to fly on only two of the aircrafts, they said.We care about safetyFlyNamibia has been accused by some of anti-competitive behaviour following its objections - a claim it denied.In statement yesterday, FlyNamibia said its chief concerns are directed towards quality services and, above all, safety.“The application - as it currently stands - has raised serious concerns as to the planned airline’s ability to ensure the safety of passengers. An unreliable airline with serious safety concerns could negatively affect the entire Namibian aviation industry.”It further said it currently competes with a number of airlines and welcomes more competition.If Fly Etosha Airways receives approval from the commission, it must still apply for an air operator certificate issued by the Namibia Civil Aviation Authority.

FlyNamibia butts heads with ex-Air Namibia pilot

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-18

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FlyNamibia butts heads with ex-Air Namibia pilot

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-18

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