Page 17 - World Airnews September 2020 Edition

AFRICA FEATURE

TYCOONS’ 101 PLANES PUT A NEW

ON AUCTION OVER KAA FEES EQUIPAGE

By Bonface Otieno OF THE

NIGHT

bout 101 aircraft abandoned

Aat various airports across East
African country of Kenya are on the verge HUNTER

of being auctioned after the Kenya Airports
Authority declared them a safety risk.
The KAA, the agency in charge of oper-

ations, safety and security at all Kenyan

airports, has given the aircraft’s owners 30
days to claim them or they will be sold at a
public auction.

The planes are said to belong to some of
the country’s wealthiest business tycoons,
politicians and commercial aircraft compa-

nies such as 748 Air Services, Silverstone,
Jetlink and Fly540.

Aircraft belonging to state agencies like
the Kenyan police, Moi University and the
Somalia air force are also at risk of coming

under the auctioneer’s hammer after Sep-
tember 14.

The KAA notice comes a month after Registration of new aircraft owned by gio Airport, including smaller models

Kenya allowed air travel to resume follow- wealthy Kenyans and private aviation firms such as the HS748 and medium-sized

ing the phased re-opening of the country nearly doubled last year, an indication of turboprop planes.

from a Covid-19 lockdown. growing affluence that has been driving up Wilson Airport insiders have said some Credit to Alexander Papichev

“The said aircraft will be sold by public demand for air travel. of the aircraft have been abandoned by

auction and the proceeds of sale shall be The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) their owners for more than 10 years and and militants’ manpower the Mi-28NE pro- Deployment of the missiles has enabled

defrayed against any incurred charges and registered 87 new aircraft last year, up from have accumulated charges to the tune of vided fire support in combat operations in the increase of target destruction range up

the balance if any shall remain at the own- 48 in 2018, pushing the number of planes millions of shillings. While some were said urban terrain and traced insurgents’ group to 10km. Besides the upgraded helicopter

ers’ credit but should there be a shortfall, in the country to 1,548, excluding those to be in serviceable condition, others are he Mi-28N has been nicknamed a and individual vehicles. can be equipped with air bombs which

the owner shall be liable thereof,” said KAA owned by the national police service and only worth their scrap metal after years of TNight Hunter by the Russian troops The experience of military conflicts of efficiency has been proved in local conflicts

acting managing director Alex Gitari in the the Kenya defence forces. inactivity and theft of parts. thanks to its ability to perform combat the recent years has proved that attack of the last decade.

latest Kenya gazette notice. The abandoned planes are parked at JKIA, Aviation rules require that planes be missions at any time in simple and adverse helicopters are deployed in a close contact The upgraded Mi-28 is expected to be

“The aircraft must be removed within 30 Moi International Airport in Mombasa, parked at gazetted points like airports. weather condition. The same nickname with the enemy. outfitted with MR blades of a new design

days from the date of publication of this Lokichoggio Airport and Wilson Airport. Apart from urban-based business has been inherited by its export version - Anti-terrorist operations have vividly enhancing its performance in high-moun-

notice and upon payment of all outstanding JKIA has 17, including a Bombardier leaders, politicians and wealthy deal-mak- Mi-28NE. demonstrated that the armed forces of tainous and hot-climate areas and ex-

charges and any incidental costs including plane belonging to Jetlink, two Soviet-built ers, Kenyan skies are also dominated by The Mi-28NE is designed for fire sup- many countries are in burning need for panding helicopter capabilities in terms of

the cost of publication of this notice.” passenger planes owned by Somali air force large-scale farmers and ranchers based in port of the forward land troops and when such helicopters featuring high maneuver- performing aerobatics.

The KAA reckons that the firms and and two old Boeing plane registered under Nanyuki, Kitale, Laikipia and Narok. deployed as a part of anti-mechanized ability, lethal power and being up-to-date The stabilizer of the enlarged surface

individuals owe it millions of shillings from Jubba Airways. Aero Club of East Africa – a lobby group defence, for destruction of armored and highly-effective. area will make it possible to improve the

accumulated parking and landing fees ar- Wilson Airport hosts more than half or 64 of private aircraft owners – attributed the vehicles, striking low flying and low-speed The extensive application of the helicop- helicopter controllability. It is also expected

rears, setting the stage for Kenya’s biggest of the targeted planes, with five linked to growth in the number of registered planes air targets, carrying air reconnaissance ter in local conflicts made it possible for the to equip the aircraft with more powerful

auction of aircraft. the Kenya police air wing, Fly540, Skylink, to Nairobi’s rising status as the region’s as well as providing target designation to customers to develop new requirements engines and a new Russian-made auxiliary

Large aircraft pay (US) $25 or (Sh2, 707) Silverstone and Moi University. business hub and a growing number of combat helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. for the Night Hunter. power plant.
daily to park at Jomo Kenyatta international Others belong to individuals and inves- wealthy individuals with the means to own The Night Hunter is heavily armored and The most valuable advantages of the Being in step with the times the aircraft

airport and (US) $585 or (Sh63, 355) and tors operating small chartered short flights and maintain an aircraft. features high combat survivability. Mi-28NE include not only all-weather and will have UAV-link capability.

(US) $702 or (Sh76, 000) to land during the targeting the rich. Besides convenience, wealthy individ- The Mi-28NE with dual control system be- round-the-clock combat application capa- Today Mi-28NE is becoming more and

day and night respectively. Wilson Airport in Nairobi handles about uals have also acquired aircraft to satisfy ing operated both by the Russian army and bility but also a fire power. more widespread. The main customers of

Small planes are charged (US) $15 or 90 per cent of domestic flights that mainly their ambitions for reliable and person- internationally possesses all the functions A subsequent upgrade of the helicopter the Mi-28NE are foreign MOD. The Rus-

(Sh1, 625) daily parking fees and (US) $223 comprise chartered and commercial flights alised travel. of the attack helicopter and yet significantly manufactured by Rostvertol PJSC (the lead- sian-made helicopters are traditionally of

or (Sh24, 150) and (US) $268 or (Sh29, to holiday destinations such as Masai Mara Air operators say that the biggest head- simplifies the training process for military ing company of the Russian Helicopters) is the greatest demand in Latin America and

000) for landing during the day and night Game Reserve, Mombasa, Amboseli Nation- ache in owning an aircraft lies in operation- pilots who need flying practice with Night primarily focused on the extension of the Middle East, Africa, Asian-Pacific region

respectively. al Park, Lamu, Kilimanjaro, Diani, Lokichogio al and maintenance costs, including high Hunters. Besides in combat operations in armament variety. and in CIS countries.

Kenya’s business magnates, politicians and Nanyuki. It is currently ranked among jet fuel prices, airport landing fees, parking case of emergency the aircraft control can It will incorporate upgraded Ataka an- The helicopter operators who have got

and new millionaires are fast taking to the the busiest airports in terms of aircraft fees, insurance and spare parts. Q be taken by the second crew member. ti-tank guided missiles with laser guidance these modern combat machines believe

skies as the preferred mode of transport movement in East and Central Africa. The Night Hunter has already happened system and Khrizantema missiles with a that this purchase is a quantum leap in

- expanding the market for leasing and 748 Air Services, a commercial carrier, Article courtesy: https://www. to take part in full-scale combat operations. dual-control system featuring both radio the development of the national army

private ownership of planes. has abandoned eight aircraft at Lokichog- businessdailyafrica.com/index.html Apart from destruction of armored vehicles and laser-beam channels. aviati on. Q
World Airnews | September 2020 World Airnews | September 2020
— 14 — — 15 —