WHAT IS GOING ON AT FLYAFRICA ZIMBABWE
(Posted 29th October 2015)
An innocent enough question yesterday morning, via the FlyAfrica Facebook page, clearly has caused some panicky reaction at the airline, as the conversation was rather promptly deleted, of course raising yet more questions as asked in the headline: ‘What is going on at FlyAfrica in Zimbabwe’.
A source from Harare was speculating last night over the company’s status and the following question was then posted on the airline’s site. Their subsequent response that flights were operating was therefore misleading at the very least, when all the facts found out later in the day suggested otherwise:
Are you operating out of Harare right now? Word has it that your shareholders handed in the AOC?
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flyafrica.com Good Morning Wolfgang, yes we are smile emoticon You can see our flight schedule here: https://flyafrica.com/en/carrier-info/schedules-fares
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Wolfgang H. Thome Well my information from Harare is that your two local shareholders have handed in the AOC of the company among a range of other rumours. Care to comment?
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Subsequently, with the conversation moving on to the more private Direct Message platform, did the content on the airline’s Facebook page then disappear, obviously deleted by the person at the other end, probably to avoid other page visitors see the exchange which might have triggered all sorts of alarm bells.
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The link you followed may be broken, or the page may have been removed.
This action however has raised the volume of the alarmbells to the highest level, more so as no answers were subsequently forthcoming from the page administrators though evidence exists that they received and saw the DM’s until much later some initial response trickled in:
Good morning, I write Eastern Africa’s largest aviation blog and sources in Harare claim that your two local shareholders have handed in the Zimbabwean AOC which, if correct, would instantly halt all flight operations. There are, and have been, rumours that the airline owes ZCAA substantial sums of money over fees due and that staff have not been paid. I am in the process of preparing a story release and your response will be important to get all sides heard. Thank you.
08.47
Did you just delete our open conversation? Thankfully I had made a screenshot of it. Care to comment on this?
Chat Conversation End
Seen 8:54am
Only half an hour later then came a response which used typical social media unsavvy tactics, talking of accusations while in fact only legitimate questions were raised, something the media do and which under current laws anywhere in the world is not prohibited. The reasons for the stalling became obvious later on when, while monitoring flight departures and arrivals, none of the scheduled FlyAfrica services operated.
| Did you just delete our open conversation? Thankfully I had made a screenshot of it. Care to comment on this?
Good Morning Wolfgang, Yes your post was deleted. It is quite a big accusation to make on our open public platform? You mentioned you were happy to change platforms so we felt we could remove your post. We too took a screenshot, as there is nothing to hide. We appreciate you taking the time to ask for our side of the story. As staff of the flyafrica team, we can assure you that any rumours about the airline not paying staff are simply not true. Could we perhaps ask where you are sourcing your information? We have handed over your posts to our Head Office team. Please can you email specific questions you may have to courtney.hill and she will respond to you directly. These were questions asked, not accusations made, which is a big difference. It is the media’s job to ask questions and follow leads, which is precisely what I have done. I look forward to hearing from Courtney Hill whom you have no doubt informed by now about the questions I have raised. Chat Conversation End |
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Courtney Hill of course never did respond, another sign that the company had gone into media lock down and was putting up the proverbial ‘Wagenburg’, perhaps trying to figure out what I had discovered or perhaps trying to figure out what to do about it. Meanwhile evidence kept pouring in that they did very well know at least a day prior, and perhaps even before that, what was about to go down in their Zimbabwe operation.
This if course is the worst possible publicity for the airline which in an earlier advert promised the Zimbabwean public a birthday month special, something they now clearly have to ponder over, leaving that promise hanging in the air and those keen to celebrate scratch their heads if any ‘birthday gift fare refund’ will be coming their way any time soon.
At that stage, late in the day, did the lawyers then get involved with the airline posting on their web page and their Facebook page the following piece of information:
flyafrica.com places criminal charges against Zimbabwe partners. If you want to know the real story behind the events of today – follow this link to read the full press release. https://flyafrica.com/en/carrier-info/m
Media centre – Looking for low cost flights in Africa?flyafrica.com offers low fare flights all over the continent. Because there’s no such thing as African time.
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Wolfgang H. Thome Stalling when the obvious was written on all walls was not a smart move I must say … well, your court battle will be watched with keen interest …
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Francis Savanhu I knew it was going to be a matter of time b4 things gets sour.
Wolfgang H. Thome So what did you know Francis and when did you know it?
What Francis Savanhu knew, and when he knew it, is for now his little secret but the fact is that FlyAfrica has suspended all operations in Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Civil Aviation Authority is expected to make a formal statement later in the day (29th of October), hopefully shedding more light on this saga.
This happened at the worst possible time for the airline as rival Fastjet on the very day launched operations in Zimbabwe with their inaugural service and maiden flight from Harare to Victoria Falls.
Usually well informed sources have suggested to this correspondent that Zimbabwean aviation authorities are in talks with Fastjet to step in and step up by providing flights on routes previously operated by FlyAfrica out of Harare, i.e. routes now suspended after the CAAZ directive to halt operations.
All of this happened against the background of legal action brought by the airline against a local Zimbabwean shareholder on the 27th of October, i.e. the day before the questions were raised by this correspondent, calling into added question the format and content of their response and leaving a thunderstorm laden cloud of suspicion hang over then. This can only be described as a PR disaster of the highest order of course and is no credit to the media savviness of their Corporate Communications team. A hastily written statement from the airline in fact already contradicts itself within a few sentences when on one side the CEO, one Adrian Hamilton-Manns suggests that some services had resumed on the 28th and then goes on to state that sales, initially until the 30th of October, have ceased and offering passengers who cannot reach their booked destination with FlyAfrica a refund. The use of the words ‘Flight Ban’ also sounds ominous and suggests that the halt of operations may not even have been voluntary but been directed by Zimbabwe’s aviation watch dog.
Taking the matter further does the FlyAfrica Facebook page comment section reveal that passengers are complaining about having booked and paid for a flight earlier on the 28th, raising the immediate question once again, what was known to the airline and when was it known to still accept money for flights they should have known or could have known would very likely not operate. One passenger on the FB page suggest that his comment was erased, quite believable as after all this correspondent’s own comment earlier in the day was deleted too, clearly trying to contain the bad news for as long as possible. In this connection it is understood that the Zimbabwean aviation authorities are also looking into the alleged sale of tickets after the 27th of October before the story broke wide open.
?Tabeth Shoko? to flyafrica.com
1 hr ·
Can someone tell me about whats going on with flyafrica. Read that they surrendered their license in Harare. So whats going to happen to us who bought tickets already.
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?Kim Oliver? to flyafrica.com
2 hrs ·
Having read an alarming story today about FlyAfrixa surrendering their “operating licence due shareholding disputes and failure to meet statutory requirements” I am now very concerned as to what process has been put in place to refund tickets already booked & paid for…?
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?Itayi Luke Nyamupaguma? to flyafrica.com
2 hrs ·
And we are hearing from the news that FlyAfrica’s license has been suspended and yet you guys are still letting us buy tickets online. Just bought one this morning!!!
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?Dorice Chisenga? to flyafrica.com
2 hrs ·
You guyz are the best.thank you ..
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?Kudzi Chiumburu? to flyafrica.com
3 hrs ·
Hre-jhb flights have been grounded yet you keep booking ….
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?Chenge Katsumbe? to flyafrica.com
3 hrs ·
I just wrote a post to your page that has been deleted without a response about the status of the Johannesburg to Harare flight scheduled for 6:20am tomorrow morning. What does that mean???
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?Chenge Katsumbe? to flyafrica.com
3 hrs ·
Has the flight from Johannesburg to Harare on the 29th of October at 6:20am been cancelled? I am failing to get through to your phones and I am getting no reply on email.
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?Baba Ayden Jadiel? to flyafrica.com
4 hrs ·
You are absolute cheats and frauds. You knew you had no plane and yet proceeded to sell flight tickets to Joburg from Harare. What absolute turds you are! Thieves!
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?Nyamndaya Tendai? to flyafrica.com
4 hrs ·
Is it true your Zimbabwe licence has been cancelled ?? Booked flights for Dec
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?Michelle Gouws? to flyafrica.com
5 hrs ·
So I’ve just read that flyafrica have surrendered their licence. Is this for all countries? Does this affect Namibian flights too?
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?Zivi Kanyemba Jnr? to flyafrica.com
6 hrs ·
Hi why is Z7132 (Jnb – Hre) a free seating flight when we have booked specific seats online?
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?Sophie Nhekairo? to flyafrica.com
7 hrs ·
Can someone tell me what is going to happen to people who are booked to travel on this airline!!!!
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flyafrica.com was mentioned in a post.
7 hrs ·
flyafrica.com , what ‘penned bra? Smh
ZBC News is the the national broadcaster’s news website that tells the true story of Zimbabwe.
ZBC.CO.ZW|BY WADZANAI
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?Melisa Mel Gambara? to flyafrica.com
7 hrs ·
Since you have surrendered your operating licence will you be refunding people for bookings already made??
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?Bronwyn Grey? to flyafrica.com
8 hrs ·
Hi there can you guarantee the flight to Bulawayo and the falls tomorrow 12.00 so we at least have time to make alternative travel arrangements????
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?Peter John Griffiths? to flyafrica.com
8 hrs ·
Why was the Or Tambo – Bulawayo flight cancelled at the last minute today,28/10/15. My friend was booked on the flight and was not informed until she was at the airport.
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?Bronwyn Grey? to flyafrica.com
10 hrs ·
Desperately disappointed on going to check in that today’s flight JNB to BUQ has been cancelled!
How many others on that flight today have been totally inconvenienced?
Was it not possible to advise much earlier that there was a problem with the plane and there was not a replacement aircraft???
Management must have had some inclining?? Delayed yesterday and then cancelled last moment this morning.
I flew from Durban on Tuesday to make this flight….
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?Nzwisisai L. Dyira? to flyafrica.com
11 hrs ·
Is it true that ?#?flyafrica has surrendered its licence and that all its planes have been grounded as reported on the ZBC online page?
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?Silvio Arnone? to flyafrica.com
My first ticket to FlyAfrica.com October 28,2015 Flight 6034 Windhoek/Jhoannesburg (Hosea Kutako/Lanseria). Gone to the airport, result: CANCELLED. No one informing me before going to the airport and no refund (to the airport). FlyAfrica you are rubbish, never again
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?Ashward Maereka? to flyafrica.com
11 hrs ·
Hw much is vic falls harare
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?Daniel C Saungweme? to flyafrica.com
12 hrs ·
Fly Africa.com please tell us whats going on!! Apparently we are told all your flights are grounded, stranded passengers all over! Why are you still selling tickets then…
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?Bronwyn Grey? to flyafrica.com
13 hrs ·
HI Still waiting for my new boarding pass for the flight JNB to Bulawayo.
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?Danie Grobler? to flyafrica.com
13 hrs ·
NoFlyAnywhere!!!
Melinda Grobler
Paul Grobler
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?Annette Van der Hoven? to flyafrica.com
16 hrs ·
Baie swak diens van fly africa om die waarheid te sê geen diens nie. My sussie is geboek op ‘n vlug van jhb na windhoek vanogend, hulle ry van tzaneen af om op die lughawe te hoor die vliegtuig is stukkend. Sy moet oorbly tot vrydag, sy is n senior burger en moet nou alleeen in sodum en gemorra sit en op haar koste. Fly Africa die minste wat julle kon doen is om haar op n ander redery te boek en vervoer te reel vir haar na lughawe.
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?Metthy Matthaei? to flyafrica.com
16 hrs ·
What a disappointment! Our children were booked on a flight from Lanseria to Windhoek today, Wednesday. On arriving there, they had to find out that the flight was cancelled. There was no prior warning, there is no possibility to cancel or be refunded. What guarantee is there that they will now be able to fly on Friday. I now really get the impression that low fare also equals low quality service. This really is not good enough.
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What is clear from these exchanges is that not only flights from Harare were affected but apparently also at least one flight from Lanseria to Windhoek and then from Windhoek to Lanseria. Those commenting are already asking the question why tickets were still sold at that stage when the writing was on the wall. The same applies apparently for a flight from Johannesburg to Bulawayo raising yet more questions and further statements from the airline are keenly awaited, if for nothing else but to find out if and how they match whatever the Zimbabwean aviation authorities will pronounce in their own statement later in the day.
For now though, it was clearly not the finest day in the corporate life of FlyAfrica and it remains to be seen how they will cope with the negative news now all over the local media in Zimbabwe and beyond and how they will recover from this unmitigated PR disaster. Also check out this local media report received from Harare from local sources: http://www.newsdzezimbabwe.co.uk/2015/10/fly-africa-grounded-in-harare.html where further allegations are made over statutory shortcomings
Watch this space for breaking and regular aviation news from across the wider Easter African region.
3 Responses
Dear Wolfgang
I am afraid the lies are stacking up. One cannot simply “source an alternative aircraft” and happily continue with your normal services. In order to legally transfer passengers and enjoy insurance cover, you must have a valid AOC. Is Mr Hamilton Manns of the intention to transport hundreds of passengers without an AOC and thus without insurance “as from mid day today”?
Flyafrica.com are a bunch of lying thieves who hide away rather then pick up a phone & answer questions directly and honestly.
Who picks up the extra costs for a last minute flight that need to booked.
Why can your not get your money back immediately?