Jetlink crew detained in Madagascar

Jetlink staff aboard a new plane at the JKIA. Photo/FILE 

By Nation ReporterPosted Friday, January 7 2011 at 19:52

 

A local airline, Jetlink Express, had its crew detained in Madagascar on Tuesday for landing illegally in the country.

The five-crew members were by Friday still being held in the country, although their release was expected.

According to managing director, Elly Aluvale, an Italian airline had hired the firm to fly back its crew to Mombasa for an onward flight to Italy.

“We were acting on its behalf and were supposed to receive clearance for our flight to land in Madagascar. However, by the time of landing, the Italian consulate in that country had not communicated the same to the authorities,” explained Mr Alluvale.

Leisure flights

Neos is an airline based in Milan, Italy, which had hired the flight. It operates leisure flights to Southern Europe, Russia, Africa, the Middle and Far East, the Caribbean, Mexico and Brazil. In Kenya, it operates from the Mombasa International Airport.

The Jetlink flight from Nairobi landed at Fascene Airport in Nosy Be, Madagascar, where it got detained. As a result, the crew consisting of two pilots, two hostesses and one flight engineer are still being held.

“We have also communicated with the ministry of Foreign Affairs and it has taken up the matter with its counterpart in Madascar. We are confident the crew will be home today (Friday),” added the MD

In aviation, an airline is required to receive permission to fly over or land at any airport from the host country’s aviation authority.

Initial reports had indicated that the domestic airline had planned to start its operations to Madagascar and expected to receive landing rights on the material day.

‘We have not made such plans and there is no way we can fly without receiving all the required authorities,” Mr Alluvale said of the claims.


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