Nationwide Airlines (South Africa): Difference between revisions
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[[April 29]], [[2008]] Nationwide ceased operations until further notice, announcing that "Our cash-flow has become critical and as a result we have gone bankrupt." (chief executive Vernon Bricknell). |
[[April 29]], [[2008]] Nationwide ceased operations until further notice, announcing that "Our cash-flow has become critical and as a result we have gone bankrupt." (chief executive Vernon Bricknell). |
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[[Three sevens.svg|A look back at the good old days of South Africa]] |
[[Image:Three sevens.svg|A look back at the good old days of South Africa]] |
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== Fleet == |
== Fleet == |
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Revision as of 17:12, 29 April 2008
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| Founded | 1991 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hubs | OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg | ||||||
| Focus cities | Cape Town International Airport and Durban International Airport | ||||||
| Fleet size | 17 | ||||||
| Destinations | 8 | ||||||
| Headquarters | Lanseria, Johannesburg, South Africa | ||||||
| Website | http://www.flynationwide.co.za | ||||||
Nationwide Airlines is an airline based in Lanseria, South Africa. It operates scheduled domestic and international services. Its main base is OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg.[1]. On 29 April 2008 the Airline halted operations.
History
The airline was founded in 1995 by Chief Executive Vernon Bricknell and began operating charter services within Africa for the United Nations and the World Food Programme, as well as ad hoc passenger and cargo charters. Domestic scheduled operations were started in December 1995 under Nationwide Airlines, which is now one of four companies within the group that consists of Nationwide Air Charter, Nationwide Aircraft Maintenance and Nationwide Aircraft Support. In 2003 it inaugurated an intercontinental service with widebody aircraft. It is privately owned and has 800 employees (at March 2007).[1]
Nationwide plans to expand its international operations with flights to Munich and possibly Shanghai or Beijing. A second Boeing 767 was to enter service in November 2006, however Nationwide failed to secure the purchase. Aircraft also under consideration for the longhaul routes are the Boeing 747-400 and Boeing 777-200ER. In February 2005, the airline began updating its fleet by introducing its first Boeing 737-500 into service. It thus became the first and only operator of the -500 type in South Africa. [2]
In March 2008 the airline was awarded as the most punctual scheduled airline in 2007 between London and Johannesburg for the second consecutive year according to UK CAA statistics.[3]
Destinations
Nationwide Airlines currently (March 2006) serves following destinations [citation needed]:
- Africa
- Europe
Incidents and accidents
November 07, 2007 A Nationwide Airlines Boeing 737-200 lost its right engine a few seconds after liftoff from Cape Town International Airport en route to OR Tambo International Airport[4]. The engine fell onto the runway, causing the airport to close and various other aircraft being diverted to George Airport. During the incident, the aircraft also lost most of its hydraulics meaning that brakes and steering were virtually non-existent[5]. The plane landed safely back at Cape Town after the runway had been cleared of the engine and other debris. This was all done in relatively bad weather with really strong winds, so all credit must go to the pilot, captain Trevor Arnolds and his co-pilot for getting the aircraft safely back on the ground[6]. No-one was injured in this incident.
Grounded
November 29, 2007 the South African Civil Aviation Authority grounded all Nationwide aircraft following the non compliance with the applicable Civil Aviation regulations [7][8]. The airline had 30 days to either comply with the regulation or appeal.[9]
December 7, 2007 the CAA granted the 767-300 permission to fly on their Johanesburg to London route[10] The airline is planning to resume domestic flights the following week.
December 24, 2007 Nationwide aircraft are slowly been granted permission to take to the sky but according to Rodger Whittle, Nationwide's corporate quality director, the airline is struggling to accommodate the holiday season increased in traffic.[11]
Halt of Operations
April 29, 2008 Nationwide ceased operations until further notice, announcing that "Our cash-flow has become critical and as a result we have gone bankrupt." (chief executive Vernon Bricknell).
Fleet
The Nationwide Airlines fleet consists of the following aircraft (at March 2007) [1] :
- 3 Boeing 727-200 (Used mostly for charter and regional work)
- 11 Boeing 737-200 (Used on primary domestic and regional routes)
- 2 Boeing 737-500 (Used on primary domestic and regional routes)
- 1 Boeing 767-300ER (Used on Johannesburg-Gatwick route)
External links
References
- ^ a b c "Directory: World Airlines". Flight International. 2007-04-10. p. 54.
- ^ Airliner World, April 2005
- ^ Flight on Time
- ^ Engine Falls off Nationwide 737 during Cape Town Takeoff
- ^ Plane forced to land after engine falls off
- ^ Terror in the sky: Engine falls off plane, pilot flies to safety
- ^ The sa civil aviation authority grounds nationwide aircraft
- ^ Nationwide flights grounded
- ^ Nationwide grounded
- ^ SACAA grants nationwide’s 767-300 er permission to fly.
- ^ Nationwide is still battling headwinds