Hewa Bora at BRU

[taz001]

Maffia business? Let's clarify one thing: it is not up to SN to do charity and leave the opportunity to poor little Hewa Bora to fly on the FIH-BRU route. As it seems they pulled out the (way too expensive) AirDC project, why should SN pitty them? And please live in the present... don't try to use the calimero-complex.

[steeven205]

So could someone just explain why Bravo Airlines a spanish carrier made an agreement in January 2008 to use the traffic rights of LAC, and when they introduced the demand in front of Belgian Mobility and Transport direction to start operating their demand were rejected, but in the case of Brussels Airlines, which signed exactly the same agreement with LAC, this time the same direction agrees ?

It is clear that Brussels Airlines is a model of airline in Europe, especially for management and ideas, and especially big news:

2006: Big news SN will take over Cameroon Airlines Someone have any news of that today ?
2007: Big news SN will take over Rwandair Someone have any news of that today ?
2007 : Big News SN has been choosen as strategic partner of Air Cemac any news of that today ?
2007 : Big News SN will take over AirBurundi Someone have any news of that today ?
2008 : Big News SN will launch the AIrDC in Congo Someone have any news of that today ?
2008 : Big News Lufthansa will take over SN Message from EC : It is not possible

Last News as we were not abble to launch AirDc Hewa Bora will never fly to BRU anymore even if we have to sign a agreement with an already bankrupted Airlines, who care ? Africa is our market isn't it ?

[TCAS_climb]

So could someone just explain why Bravo Airlines a spanish carrier made an agreement in January 2008 to use the traffic rights of LAC, and when they introduced the demand in front of Belgian Mobility and Transport direction to start operating their demand were rejected, but in the case of Brussels Airlines, which signed exactly the same agreement with LAC, this time the same direction agrees ?

Yeah, it's a good one, but I don't think they read Luchtzak and will ever answer here. The truth is out there... Just have to find the document that explains everything.


Maybe it's about financial garantees. If Bravo Airlines and LAC are virtually broke before starting it's a good point that our administration protects customers from companies on the brink of extinction. Dunno if that's the reason but I think it's a plausible hypothesis.

[LX-LGX]

So could someone just explain why Bravo Airlines a spanish carrier made an agreement in January 2008 to use the traffic rights of LAC, and when they introduced the demand in front of Belgian Mobility and Transport direction to start operating their demand were rejected, but in the case of Brussels Airlines, which signed exactly the same agreement with LAC, this time the same direction agrees ?

Stating that Lignes Aériennes Congolaises = Air Zaire, is like saying Brussels Airlines = Sabena, or Jetairfly = Sobelair. Air Zaire went bankrupt in 1994. Lignes Aériennes Congolaises started in 2005. Just read the press release from Hewa Bora again.

It's not up to the Belgian Mobility and Transport direction or its secretary to allow licences: the Belgian CAA does - or doesn't.

The request didn't came from Bravo Airlines (Madrid), but from Bravo Air Congo (Brazzaville), dry leasing EC-JOZ (767-200ER) from Bravo Airlines. That's also the reason why the request was rejected: "... Banned air carriers could be permitted to exercise traffic rights by using wet-leased aircraft of an air carrier which is not subject to an operating ban, provided that the relevant safety standards are complied with..."

Lignes Aériennes Congolaises, banned in EU, has signed a provisional agreement with Brussels Airlines. After that, LAC has asked the Belgian CAA to execute two weekly flights FIH-BRU-FIH on a wet lease with four specific aircraft: OO-SFM, OO-SFN, OO-SFO, OO-SFW. After they have received permission for these flights, a commercial deal was formally signed with Brussels Airlines.

It is clear that Brussels Airlines is a model of airline in Europe, especially for management and ideas, and especially big news:
...

2008 : Big News Lufthansa will take over SN Message from EC : It is not possible

"Not possible"? ? ? I suggest you look for the real content of the EU press release.

(By the way, welcome at the BABC - Brussels Airlines Bashers Club)

[TCAS_climb]

Mmmmh... Bravo Air Congo was headquartered in Kinshasa and intended to fly on both domestic routes in DRC and on international routes, wasn't it ? Congo-Brazzaville is not on the Black List and as far as I know they don't even have aviation regulations (source: ICAO audit report 2001).

So if Bravo Air Congo honnestly thought that only by dry-leasing a plane registered in the EU they would bypass the Black List, this would show (at least to me) that they REALLY don't have a clue of the industry they're in.

[steeven205]

dry leasing EC-JOZ (767-200ER) from Bravo Airlines. That's also the reason why the request was rejected:

It was not a dry lease but an Wet leasing from Bravo Airlines to Bravo Air Congo, and the real condition why they refused is that the Belgian authority asked to Bravo airlines to pay the debt of LAC in Belgium (airport & overflight fees) before beeing allowed to use their traffic rights, perhaps SN paid this debt but i am not sure.

Whatever the reason is, in BASA there is an important word "RECIPROCITY", an here i don't see such reciprocity, the plan of Hewa Bora was to wet lease an A/C from a foreign carrier. They only want to operate Two flights at the same time SN is operating Five.

All these stuff because of their misundestanding in AirDc project i am sure.

[NCB]

I don't think that the conversation should veer that way.
Airlines jobs are not jobs for white or black people, they are jobs for all the people.

Black Africa doesn't yet have the means to establish a good aviation policy.
Political instability and corruption, lack of funds and application of regulations, those are the problems that prevent Black Africa to blossom in the way it deserves to.
Now guess who's causing political instability in Black Africa? Yes, our own leaders, out of economical interest.

It's exactly the kind of challenge that Mr. Papaioannou is putting against the white politicians that must bring back justice.

Brussels Airlines that lacks funds, approached Hewa Bora with the interest of cooperation.
They decided to create AirDC together. Then SN goes into talks with LH and all of a sudden the whole AirDC project falls. HWB is very angry...
Now LH's proposed buy-out hangs on a thin line after the initial refusal, and SN can't get back to AirDC without HWB. SN is playing with fire.

I think that SN wants to play the Dakar card, as Air Senegal owned by Royal Air Maroc folded last week.

[steeven205]

I totaly agree with you on that point and also they are also responsible for all bad things happening in the world AIDS, Cancer and perhaps if we check properly the actual financial crisis. I think that the best thing should be to find a solution to kill all of them, then the world will certainly be better, and we should also find a solution for arab, jews and chinese.

Welcome back HITLER and thank you for your participation to the debate.

[Darjeeling]

This is just an unacceptable assumption. It's racist and false.
I can tell you companies like ET, KQ, Afriqiyah give a hell of concerns to the people of Brussels Airlines. And they are run by "black people". And by the way KQ is the PRIDE of Africa, not the proud (but we say we are PROUD). Before criticizing others...

And about the SN/HBA polemic, it just comes from the fact that bilateral agreements foresee a multi designation of operating carriers. Hence the problem we have here.
But the truth is that HBA is very angry not to be able to operate its 767 into BRU. If they wet-lease a plane it will cost them much more, the break-even point will be different believe me. And add to this the difficulty to find an operator accepting to operate from Hell's gate (=FIH !) while not being banned from EU airspace. HBA has already sold A LOT of tickets, especially for this summer. So they are kind of panicking right now...
At the time of HBA's Tristar, it's clearly Louis Michel who lobbied to the EU to allow that airplane to land in BRU. We were in another period, and it was preferable to put wine in its water for all the parties if you see what I mean

[TCAS_climb]

Is it too much asking that an operator and its state of registry meet the ABSOLUTE MINIMUM level of safety and regulatory compliance ? The whole problem starts there, and the rest is just a waste of everybody else's time.

Fairness applies to business practices but also to common standards. The whole aviation sector in DRC may be furious, but as long as they don't play by the rules they have nothing to do here. It's sad for them but fair to all.

[b720]

White, black, yellow, blue for that matter.. that is besides the point. SN has absolutely nothing to offer
an African airline, or joint venture.. while SN on the contrary has a lot to benefit from such a venture.. it is a one way "love affair".. will lead no where.. SN does not have the cash, nor the big global name.. had it had at least either.. it would have already formed a serious subsidiory in Africa.. a wise saying.. one should not stretch one's legs outside the perimeter of one's carpet..(flying carpet in this case).. SN is no LH, nor an AF it is simply SN.. small is beautiful indeed, maybe now with the help of Lufthansa someting in Africa can finally materialize..

[Conti764]

White, black, yellow, blue for that matter.. that is besides the point. SN has absolutely nothing to offer
an African airline, or joint venture.. while SN on the contrary has a lot to benefit from such a venture.. it is a one way "love affair".. will lead no where.. SN does not have the cash, nor the big global name.. had it had at least either.. it would have already formed a serious subsidiory in Africa.. a wise saying.. one should not stretch one's legs outside the perimeter of one's carpet..(flying carpet in this case).. SN is no LH, nor an AF it is simply SN.. small is beautiful indeed, maybe now with the help of Lufthansa someting in Africa can finally materialize..

Why would SN's size ban them from building AirDC into an African airline of a decent size?

Of course, they wouldn't be able to start an airline the way LH did with Lufthansa Italia, but give some time they would definately have some nice product to offer. Many African airports and regions are still undiscovered by the average airline and the African market is still free from overcompetition thus still offering nice revenue.

In the (near) future SN can have enough equipment to deploy into Africa. Their BAe 146's, the aging 737's and in a later stage the Avro's. Don't forget that what is substandard in our markets is still average or above in Africa where most people are used to fourth or fifth hand equipment like B727's and the likes... Of course a fleet of E-jets, 73NG's or the A32X family would do better, but while the old SN equipment is more of a handicap in our markets, the company could still benefit from them in Africa.

But LH is more in favor of offering more direct connections from Europe to Africa. But in my eyes the one don't have to exclude the other.

I firmly believe all parties within this construction could benefit grately from a rebranded AirDC (PanAfrican Airways?). With this African company they would really have an edge over the competing alliances.

PAA could offer direct flights between major African airports SN offers from BRU (FIH, DKR, BJL, CKY,...) thus providing connections to every major African airport on a daily base via BRU and maximum one stop and offer connections to secondary African markets many other airlines still have to discover.

The way I would see the fleet of PAA:
The Boeings 737-300 and -400 for mainline connections like f.e. FIH-DKR or BJL-CKY,...
The BAe's and later on the Avro's for connections to smaller airports.

This way all parties (SN, *A and not to forget BRU) would benefit hugely, and also the African people who get a 'better they they're used to' airline and a quick connection to BRU and the world beyond.

If it was up to me, give time, this is what SN and PAA would look like:

SN:

A34X for their biggest operation in Africa (FIH,...)
A333 for triangular flights (e.g. BRU-DKR-BJL-BRU)
A332 for direct connections to Africa which can sustain such operations and other long haul operation

PAA would use the fleet like I already indicated.

Of course I am only an armchair CEO and maybe my idea's would be to big, but given time I can definatly see some huge advantages from such a construction.

[steeven205]

Is there someone having more information bout the fight between Hewa Bora and Brussels Airlines ?

[Nevihta]

Is there someone having more information bout the fight between Hewa Bora and Brussels Airlines ?

It looks like a new company is being created, RAK airways, between Hewa Bora and Emirates.
They will receive a 757-200ER (that was scheduled to arrive N'djili yesterday) with which they will serve Brussels.
they have currently 2 757, one of them ex-Iberia, other ex-Condor and Mexicana.

Looks like they are awaiting some 767's.

Source : http://fr.allafrica.com/stories/200905080260.html

(Only in french sorry)

[Sikiri]

It looks like a new company is being created, RAK airways, between Hewa Bora and Emirates.

As far as I know, RAK airways is not affiliated with Emirates at all. The only thing they have in common is that they are both airlines from the UAE.

[Nevihta]

It looks like a new company is being created, RAK airways, between Hewa Bora and Emirates.

As far as I know, RAK airways is not affiliated with Emirates at all. The only thing they have in common is that they are both airlines from the UAE.

OK, I must have misunderstood somewhere
thanks for correcting.

[TCAS_climb]

RAK Airways was an airline from the UAE. According to AerotransportDB they shut down in February.

[Nevihta]

RAK Airways was an airline from the UAE. According to AerotransportDB they shut down in February.

Man, looks like nothing is very clear and easy concerning those new companies in RDC

[Darjeeling]

RAK Group is already a well known investor in Kinshasa, especially in real estate.

Now I'm curious to discover how they will handle luggages/hand luggages on a BRU-KIN-BRU with a 757.
HBA is perhaps cheaper than SN, but it wasn't uncommon to receive luggages three days after your arrival at destination as they were sent with Cargolux.<

[Boeing767copilot]

press release Hewa Bora, only in Dutch and French:

Pers Bericht : Samenwerking RAK Airways / Hewa Bora Airways
Kinshasa : 13 mei 2009Het management van RAK Airways en Hewa Bora Airways hebben beslist een
nieuwe sterke Congolese luchtvaartmaatschappij op te richten die volledig zal
beantwoorden aan de internationale veiligheidsnormen, zoals voorgeschreven
door ICAO Intenational Civil Aviation Organization.

Deze onderneming zal gekenmerkt worden door zeer specifieke etappes. De
eerste etappe bestaat uit het binnen zeer korte termijn uitvoeren van de binnenlandse,
regionale, en intercontinentale vluchten op Europa en de Emiraten, met
toestellen van een nieuwe generatie.

Het onmiddelijk ter beschikking stellen van een Boeing 757 van RAK Airways,
die vorige week vrijdag in Kinshasa aankwam is hiervan een eerste sterk signaal.

Deze overtuiging tot vernieuwing past in een gezamelijke wil om aktief
deel te nemen en bij te dragen aan de wederopbouw van ons prachtig land,
de Democratische Republiek Congo.

Al de luchtvaartaktiviteiten zullen grondig vernieuwd worden, namelijk de passagiers,
vracht en afhandelings aktiviteiten.

Een nauwe samenwerking met alle reisagenten zal onze klanten toelaten om van
een optimale service en opvolging te kunnen genieten.

Volgens Marc Orphanides ( Vertegenwoordiger van de Regering van Ras Al Khaimah in de Democratische Republiek Congo) is deze samenwerkings overeenkomst zeer positief. Ze kadert rechtstreeks binnen de realisatie en de uitvoering van de ontwikkelings en groei visie van ZKH Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, die hierbij bijdraagt in de uivoering van het 5 pijlerproject van de Democratische Republeik van Congo.
De Regering van RAK is reeds zeer aktief in Congo doorheen:
• De bouwsector via de Groep RAKEEN CONGO
• De electriciteitsproductie via HYDROFORCE CONGO
• De mijnsector via RAK MINERALS en METALS CONGO

Volgens Stavros Papaioannou, CEO van Hewa Bora Airways, kadert dit nieuwe
luchtvaart project in de gezamelijke wil van beide partijen om een performant
luchtvaart bedrijf op te richten dat beantwoordt aan de internationale veiligheids
normen. Door het intoduceren van toestellen van een nieuwe generatie en de aktieve steun
van RAK Airways zal de operationele veiligheid gegarandeerd zijn.
“Wij zullen punctualiteit, en directe non-stop confortabele vluchten aanbieden aan
concurentiele prijzen. De tevredenheid van ons congolees en international
clienteel zal de garantie bieden voor het slagen van ons project. Het ter beschikking stellen van de Boeing 757 van RAK Airways in Kinshasa biedt ons de mogelijkheid om
op 30 mei eesrtkomend onze vluchten op Europa te starten en dit wel voor het begin
van het hoog seizoen”.

Toelichting bij RAK Airways:

• RAK Airways is de vierde nationale luchtvaartmaatschappij van de Verenigde Arabische Emiraten. De maatschappij werd opgericht in februari 2006 bij Koninklijk decreet door ZKH Sheikh Saqr Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, staatshoofd van Ras Al Khaimah
• De vloot van RAK Airways is een van de jongste in het Emirati luchtruim en de maatschappij heeft de reputatie een der meest belovende te zijn in de regio.
• Het objectief van RAK Airways bestaat erin de economische uitbouw te ondersteunen van het Emiraat Ras Al Khaimah doorheen haar ambitieus economisch expansie programma, inbegerepen in de Democratische Republeik van Congo. De ontwikkeling
betreft free zones voor het aantrekken van bedrijven zowel als residentiele, recreatie en toeristiche projecten.
• RAK Airways heeft als thuisbasis het Emiraat Ras Al Khaimah, het meest noordelijke van de 7 Emiraten die de Verenigde Arabische Emiraten vormen. Ras Al Khaimah en de andere Emiraten behoren tot de meest aantrekkelijke bestemmingen voor zakelijke als toeristische doeleinden. De magie van de welvaart van dit land vindt haar oorsprong in de unieke samensmelting van arabische cultuur en traditie met een modern en cosmopoliet economisch systeem. In de Verenigde Arabische Emiraten leven en werken mensen van meer dan 100 nationaliteiten samen in harmonie.

Toelichting bij Hewa Bora Airways:

• Hewa Bora Airways is de belangrijkste Congolese luchtvaartmaatschappij die vanuit Kinshasa de meeste binnenlandse bestemmingen verzorgt: Lubumbashi, Mbuyi Mayi, Kanaga, Mbandaka, Gemena, Kisangani en Goma, maar ook Brazzaville en Johannesburg als internationale bestemming, vanaf 30 mei Brussel en Parijs als nieuwe bestemmingen.
• Hewa Bora Airways is de enige luchtvaartmaatschappij in de Democratische Republiek van Congo die haar internationale zowel als binnenlandse vluchten publiceert in de belangrijkste Reservatiesystemen, AMADEUS, GALILEO, SABRE en zeer binnekort WORLDSPAN.
• Hewa Bora Airways neemt deel in de BSP’s van 16 Europese en Afrikaanse landen onder haar code EO-663 en wereldwijd via een nieuw interline contract met de maatschappij HAHN AIR onder de code HR-169.
• Hewa Bora Airways voert ook regelmatige vracht vluchten uit naar deze bestemmingen.
• De maatschappij werd opgericht in 2000 en verschaft tewerkstelling aan 1000 gekwalificeerde personeelsleden.

###Communiqué de presse : Partenariat RAK Airways / Hewa Bora Airways
Kinshasa : le 13 mai 2009

Les dirigeants de RAK Airways et Hewa Bora Airways ont décidé de créer
une nouvelle compagnie aérienne congolaise, forte, et répondant à toutes
les normes internationales de sécurité aérienne, comme l’exige l’Organisation de
l’Aviation Civile Internationale.

Cette compagnie se caractérisera par des étapes très marquées. La première
consistera à assurer dans l’immédiat les vols domestiques et régionaux ainsi que
sur l’Europe et les Emirats, avec des avions de nouvelle génération.

La mise à disposition immédiate du Boeing 757 de RAK Airways arrivé la semaine
dernière à Kinshasa est le signal fort du démarrage.

Cette détermination du changement s’inscrit dans la volonté mutuelle de
participer activement à la reconstruction de notre beau pays, la République
Démocratique du Congo.

Tous les secteurs de l’aviation seront entièrement modernisés à savoir le
passager, le cargo et le ground handling.

Une collaboration très étroite avec toutes les agences de voyages, permettra
aux passagers de bénéficier d’un service permanant et d’un suivi optimal.

Tout sera mis en oeuvre pour obtenir l’adhésion de cette compagnie au sein de
l’IATA au travers d’un agrément IOSA.

Selon Marc Orphanides (représentant du Gouvernement de RAK en RDC), ce
partenariat est très positif. Il s’inscrit directement dans la réalisation
et l’exécution de la vision de développement et de croissance de Son Altesse
Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, contribuant ainsi aux 5 chantiers de la RDC.
La RDC est un vaste pays dont les besoins en transport aérien sont énormes.
Nous sommes heureux de contribuer à ce projet, tenant ainsi notre promesse
qui avait été faite d’investir dans ce secteur dans le pays.
Le Gouvernement de RAK est déjà très actif en RDC :

• Dans le secteur Immobilier au travers du Groupe RAKEEN CONGO
• Dans la production d’Hydroélectricité au travers de HYDROFORCE
CONGO
• Dans le minier au travers de RAK MINERALS & METALS CONGO

Selon Stavros Papaioannou, CEO de la société Hewa Bora Airways ce nouveau
projet aérien, s’inscrit dans une volonté commune des deux partenaires de créer
un outil de transport aérien congolais performant, répondant aux normes sécuritaires internationales. Par l’introduction d’appareils de nouvelle génération et l’appui
de RAK Airways la sécurité opérationnelle sera garantie. « Nous allons assurer
la ponctualité des vols, offrir des vols directs et confortables, à des prix compétitifs,
et garantir par la satisfaction de notre clientèle congolaise et internationale.
La mise à disposition immédiate à Kinshasa du Boeing 757 de RAK Airways permettra à notre compagnie de reprendre en toute sérénité nos vols sur l’Europe le 30 mai prochain, avant la haute saison ».
Information sur RAK AIRWAYS

• Rak Airways est la quatrième compagnie nationale des Émirats Arabes
Unis. Elle a été établie en février 2006 par un décret royal de son Altesse
Sheikh Saqr Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, dirigeant de Ras Al Khaimah.
• La flotte de Rak Airways est parmi l’une des plus jeune dans le ciel Emirati
et Rak Airways a la réputation d’être une des compagnies les plus prometteuse
au niveau de la région.
• L’objectif de Rak Airways est de soutenir le développement économique
de l’Émirat de Ras Al Khaimah dans son ambitieux programme d’expansion,
notamment en RDC. Le développement inclut des free zones pour attirer les
businessmen mais également du résidentiel, du loisir et des projets touristiques.
• Rak Airways est basée dans l’Émirat de Ras Al Khaimah, le plus au Nord des sept Emirats. Ras Al Khaimah et les autres Émirats comptent parmi les destinations les plus attractives pour le business et le tourisme. La magie de la prospérité de ce pays a comme racine le mélange unique de la culture et les traditions arabes locales ainsi qu’une économie moderne et cosmopolite. Les Émirats Arabes Unis (EAU) ont un mélange de plus de 100 nationalités et cultures qui vivent et travaillent en harmonie.

Information sur HEWA BORA AIRWAYS

• Hewa Bora Airways est la première compagnie aérienne de la République Démocratique du Congo desservant les principales destinations domestiques : Lubumbashi, Mbuji Mayi, Kananga, Mbandaka, Gemena, Kisangani et Goma au départ de Kinshasa, mais également Brazzaville et Johannesburg en international ainsi que Bruxelles et Paris à partir du 30 mai prochain.
• Hewa Bora Airways est la seule compagnie en République Démocratique du Congo dont les vols internationaux et domestiques sont distribués sur les GDS AMADEUS, GALILEO, SABRE et très prochainement sur WORLDSPAN.
• Hewa Bora Airways participe aux BSP de 16 pays européens et africains sous son propre code E0-663, et mondialement par un nouveau contrat interline avec la compagnie HAHN AIR sous le code HR-169.
• Hewa Bora Airways assure également des vols Cargo réguliers sur toutes ses destinations.
• La compagnie a été créée en l’an 2000 et emploie une main d’œuvre qualifiée de 1000 personnes.
###