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Newfy
Western Samoa
462 Posts |
 Posted - 24 Nov 2006 : 02:20:47
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"If it had got any worse, I would probably have had to go through the cabin with a hat asking for donations" - Captain John Lawrence
UK flight 'held to ransom'
7.41, Thu Nov 23 2006
The pilot of a UK flight which refuelled in Senegal was forced to use the takings of the plane's bar to pay officials in order to depart.
Unable to find fuel supplies before leaving Banjul airport in Gambia, the Boeing 757 had to fly to nearby Dakar airport in Senegal.
Passengers then found themselves trapped onboard for three hours as officials made unexpected demands for a number of airport fees.
Captain John Lawrence, who was manning the First Choice Airways flight which was bound for Bristol, had to find around Ģ2,000 and convert it into local currency before African officials would allow the flight to depart.
And there was further misery for passengers when the flight was forced to land at Cardiff as it was too late to arrive in Bristol.
Captain Lawrence said it made for "an interesting few hours" but praised the good humour of his passengers. He added: "If it had got any worse, I would probably have had to go through the cabin with a hat asking for donations."
Terry Hague, 62, from Warwick, who had attended his daughter's wedding in Gambia, said: "The atmosphere was actually quite jovial on board but all the passengers were talking about how we were being held to ransom.
"There were all sorts of rumours flying about. Some people said that the airport would make us stay the night in Dakar and pay Ģ200 each for a hotel room."
First Choice Airways is investigating the matter. It said: "We had spoken to Dakar several days earlier to say that we would be refuelling.
"Normally, there is no requirement to pay at the time because it is handled for us by a pan-African air traffic control company."
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The law an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.
Mohandas Gandhi |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 24 Nov 2006 : 17:00:57
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if this was not so tragic i would laugh, but they were headed home from gambia,
but look at the bigger picture they could not
"unable to find fuel supplies before leaving banjul airport", what an image for the country. 
any reasons why this happended no fuel. is this a tourism issue, transportation issue, IT DEFINATELY BELONGS TO THE GOVERNMENT |
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Kololiboy
Gambia
15 Posts |
Posted - 24 Nov 2006 : 17:47:59
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Still no fuel
Monarch due 22.30 now via Alicante now due 00.40
Thomas Cook due 21.35 now via??? due 22.50
Asteraus Due 21.30 now via Las Palmas due 22.50
Heard no word about Petrol or diesel.
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serenata
Germany
1400 Posts |
Posted - 24 Nov 2006 : 18:23:32
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I hope the shortage will soon be over, but I agree with jambo that it can damage Gambia's image as a reliable and safe destination. Or, just sell it as 'adventure holidays'... 
Did something like this ever happen before? Of course airlines can take their fuel from Spain/the Spanish Islands, but this means much higher costs.
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kiwi
Sweden
662 Posts |
Posted - 24 Nov 2006 : 20:05:43
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Swedish fligts always refill on the Canarias, this might explain why it is so expensive to go to Gambia.
Shortage of fuel can damage Gambia's image, and disconnection of phone lines is disastrous. You canīt do foreign business without working connections
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kiwi |
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njucks
Gambia
1131 Posts |
Posted - 25 Nov 2006 : 20:58:18
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quote:
Originally posted by jambo
but look at the bigger picture they could not
"unable to find fuel supplies before leaving banjul airport", what an image for the country.
fair enough, its an interesting point. silly things like this shouldnt happen.
but the point is, Senegal also is a more organised country, and if a plane lands unexpectedly without an emergency it will be treated like any other commercial airline and all associated fees and landing fees will be charged. remember Dakar airport is not a usual stop for british aircraft. the pilot should have known better by getting his paper work correct before landing.
if you read the story you will even notice they refused to accept Sterling currency and the pilot had to change it to the local currency, the CFA. Hence the charges were legitimate.
sadly if the reverse was true or had a similar thing happened in The Gambia, the plane would simply refuel and leave, with no problem. we dont take our jobs seriously with out policy of ''Massllaha''
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this is not kidnapping or request for ransom, the Senegalese are trying to build a nationstate by the book!! |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 26 Nov 2006 : 14:46:23
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njucks, good points, but the reason he had to stop in senegal was he could not find fuel in Gambia! and going by comments made on bantaba it is not an isolated incident.
GAMBIA GOVERNMENT MUST TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR LOSS, because the pilot bought something in another country, the loss of money is felt in gambia.
THAT FOR ME IS THE BIGGER PICTURE. can someone advise who is responsible for the lack of fuel in gambia at the airports or whereever they should get fuel from.
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njucks
Gambia
1131 Posts |
Posted - 26 Nov 2006 : 15:45:39
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i agree totally with you. lack of fuel to me is just silly mistakes that cost the country millions whenever it happens. but i have the feeling we dont have all the facts. i wouldn't say there is lack of fuel but by now you would know how Africa in general works!!
people only invest when they have a guaranteed contract. no one takes risks especially big companies. fuel at the airport is not the responsibility of the government but private companies like Shell or TotalELf.
my feeling is that they have only a certain amount stored for their contract clients like Thomas cook flights or other travel agents etc and as such could NOT sell any surplus.
but which ever way you look at it, i dont think the government has to be blamed, the storage capacity for fuel is done by private companies who refuse to invest. this will change soon as a huge storage facility is being built not far from the airport in Mandinari. with competition those with a monopoly will stop misbehaving.
you are right our loss was Senegal's gain. |
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Alhassan
Sweden
813 Posts |
Posted - 27 Nov 2006 : 14:26:16
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quote:
Originally posted by njucks
i agree totally with you. lack of fuel to me is just silly mistakes that cost the country millions whenever it happens. but i have the feeling we dont have all the facts. i wouldn't say there is lack of fuel but by now you would know how Africa in general works!!
people only invest when they have a guaranteed contract. no one takes risks especially big companies. fuel at the airport is not the responsibility of the government but private companies like Shell or TotalELf.
my feeling is that they have only a certain amount stored for their contract clients like Thomas cook flights or other travel agents etc and as such could NOT sell any surplus.
but which ever way you look at it, i dont think the government has to be blamed, the storage capacity for fuel is done by private companies who refuse to invest. this will change soon as a huge storage facility is being built not far from the airport in Mandinari. with competition those with a monopoly will stop misbehaving.
you are right our loss was Senegal's gain.
Njucks,
I think you have given us ample explanation and all the facts. You must be able to recognise your country men. As long as Jammeh is there those who do not know the procedure will blaim Government. I am labeled as a die heart Jammeh on this forum. I dont care these guys. I realy know that some of the things we blame government for are not justified. The members of the opposition are here to make all mistakes in the country as a Government fault. They cannot distinguish what is government responsibility and what is private. You have a hard time with this issue and the Jammeh opponents. They even call me NIA spy. |
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serenata
Germany
1400 Posts |
Posted - 27 Nov 2006 : 14:55:14
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Spies of all nations, unite! You have nothing to loose but your slap hats!  |
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njucks
Gambia
1131 Posts |
Posted - 27 Nov 2006 : 15:28:13
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quote:
Originally posted by serenata
Spies of all nations, unite! You have nothing to loose but your slap hats!
Serenata, this is not funny. really have you been following the case of the late ex-KGB spy Alexander Litvinenko just killed in London but radioactive poisoning.
these days no one immune |
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serenata
Germany
1400 Posts |
Posted - 27 Nov 2006 : 16:25:14
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| njucks, I didn't mean to make fun of poor Mr. Litvinenko, and I know that 'intelligence' agencies generally are not to be taken lightly. But I can't help - not only for me this branch has also something comical; maybe it is their professional paranoia which makes people giggle. Laughter is a way to deal with fear. |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 27 Nov 2006 : 17:35:38
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quote:
Originally posted by njucks
i agree totally with you. lack of fuel to me is just silly mistakes that cost the country millions whenever it happens. but i have the feeling we dont have all the facts. i wouldn't say there is lack of fuel but by now you would know how Africa in general works!!
people only invest when they have a guaranteed contract. no one takes risks especially big companies. fuel at the airport is not the responsibility of the government but private companies like Shell or TotalELf.
my feeling is that they have only a certain amount stored for their contract clients like Thomas cook flights or other travel agents etc and as such could NOT sell any surplus.
but which ever way you look at it, i dont think the government has to be blamed, the storage capacity for fuel is done by private companies who refuse to invest. this will change soon as a huge storage facility is being built not far from the airport in Mandinari. with competition those with a monopoly will stop misbehaving.
you are right our loss was Senegal's gain.
Point of correction. The fuel depot in the Gambia is a monopoly by legislation. |
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njucks
Gambia
1131 Posts |
Posted - 27 Nov 2006 : 17:51:09
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quote:
Originally posted by kondorong
Point of correction. The fuel depot in the Gambia is a monopoly by legislation.
POINT OF CORRECTION THE FUEL DEPOT IN BANJUL IS NOT A MONOPOLY BY ANY LEGISLATION. |
Edited by - njucks on 27 Nov 2006 17:51:23 |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 27 Nov 2006 : 17:58:43
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| Well may be until after your posting. |
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LEMON TIME
Afghanistan
1295 Posts |
Posted - 27 Nov 2006 : 19:09:27
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| Kondorong or Njucks both of you cant be right,let NIA spy Alhassan Jammeh investigate and let us know. |
There is no god but Allah |
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