Victoria maiden flight cancelled
Nov 27, 2006
Victoria International Airlines (VIA) maiden flight to Nairobi yesterday was cancelled.
By Mikaili Sseppuya and Emmy Olaki
Victoria International Airlines (VIA) maiden flight to Nairobi yesterday was cancelled.
Sources said Kenyan officials denied the carrier permission to land at Jomo Kenyatta Airport.
“Kenyan authorities first delayed the plane’s 8:00am take off but it became clear as time went by that they were not going to allow the plane to land,†an official said on condition of anonymity.
It was not clear why VIA was denied permission to land. But the airlines commercial director, Declan Ppepperd, said Kenyan authorities asked for documentation from Uganda’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which was provided.
“They were not happy with the wording of the document. But they had already cleared us prior to our maiden flight, otherwise we wouldn’t have spent lots of money on advertising and this launch,†Pepperd said.
“It is very disappointing for us. But we are confident that we shall be back on schedule tomorrow (today). The CAA officials are also confident that this will be resolved so we can start tomorrow.â€
The airline had to pay for tickets of 17 of its passengers who were to travel on the maiden flight and offered them a free trip next time they travel. The evening flight was also cancelled.
CAA spokesperson Ignie Igundura and transport ministry officials were unavailable to comment.
The refusal follows a pattern by kenyan officials who jealously guard the route monopolised by Kenya Airways.
Last year, East African Airlines was forced to give up the lucrative route after Kenyan authorities frustrated its bid to get an early morning flight slot that is patronised by businessmen between Entebbe and Nairobi daily.
In June, Ethiopian Airlines tussled with the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) in regaining landing rights in Nairobi for its nairobi-Entebbe-bujumbura route but KCAA delayed.
Victoria International Airlines (VIA) maiden flight to Nairobi yesterday was cancelled.
Sources said Kenyan officials denied the carrier permission to land at Jomo Kenyatta Airport.
“Kenyan authorities first delayed the plane’s 8:00am take off but it became clear as time went by that they were not going to allow the plane to land,†an official said on condition of anonymity.
It was not clear why VIA was denied permission to land. But the airlines commercial director, Declan Ppepperd, said Kenyan authorities asked for documentation from Uganda’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which was provided.
“They were not happy with the wording of the document. But they had already cleared us prior to our maiden flight, otherwise we wouldn’t have spent lots of money on advertising and this launch,†Pepperd said.
“It is very disappointing for us. But we are confident that we shall be back on schedule tomorrow (today). The CAA officials are also confident that this will be resolved so we can start tomorrow.â€
The airline had to pay for tickets of 17 of its passengers who were to travel on the maiden flight and offered them a free trip next time they travel. The evening flight was also cancelled.
CAA spokesperson Ignie Igundura and transport ministry officials were unavailable to comment.
The refusal follows a pattern by kenyan officials who jealously guard the route monopolised by Kenya Airways.
Last year, East African Airlines was forced to give up the lucrative route after Kenyan authorities frustrated its bid to get an early morning flight slot that is patronised by businessmen between Entebbe and Nairobi daily.
In June, Ethiopian Airlines tussled with the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) in regaining landing rights in Nairobi for its nairobi-Entebbe-bujumbura route but KCAA delayed.