Six Trainees from different countries had been riding back and forth together from the Training center in Schiphol to their Hotel room for weeks. They jocularly called each other by their country names. One of the Trainspotting games they played during their rides was identifying their National Airlines or Flag carriers . They had taken turns, many times over several weeks to excitedly point out aircraft flying their flags. Each used the opportunity to share relevant stories . On this particular ride, one trainee realised that the Nigerian had never joined this game and never pointed out any airline either. He was therefore asked the direct question.
Hey Nigeria, where is your Airline?
The usually confident, fast-talking Nigerian trainee suddenly became tongue tied…. What was he going to say??? As a stream of unflattering episodes involving the National carrier’s operating challenges flashed through his mind, all he could do was mutter: Ummm! We have challenges!
Fast forward a few years later, there came the once in a lifetime opportunity to join the multinational team setting out to build a world class airline in the heart of Africa…Virgin Nigeria was birthed in an unsettled and tension-soaked environment, seething with the venom unleashed by Government’s poor handling of the human side of the liquidation of Nigeria Airways. The transferred aggression was ceaseless and merciless. It couldn’t have been worse if they had accused us of treason! Sadly, It persists in some quarters till this day.
Thankfully, the ”beef’’ kept us on our toes and firmly focused on operating to the highest ethical standards. Was our flag carrier model forbidden for love of the country? Loss of their own true love??or just a labour of love???
Regardless, we were proud to serve and fly the flag. We set new standards, chalked up records, delivered many world class firsts and bequeathed to the Industry some of its leading lights.
- Virgin Nigeria began international operations on June 28, 2005, with the launch of 3x-weekly flights from MMIA to London Heathrow.
- We set up a new station on average every month and within a year we had spread from Lagos to Abuja, Owerri, Kano, Sokoto and Calabar on the domestic routes. Accra, Douala, Dakar on the regional routes and Internationally to Gatwick and Johannesburg
- We were IOSA certified with zero findings (audited and approved December 2005)
- We had a great culture, great welfare, people management and development, the likes which has not been seen in Aviation since?
We achieved our aim of setting up a world class ACT until Nigeria happened to us,
We had survived:
Highly placed officials attempt to hijack our aircraft to resolve unconnected Hajj ops
·A Minister who descended into the arena to reallocate airline counters.
·An ambush of our Executives with a press team to concoct nonexistent company safety issues, out of a well-handled flight incident.
·A directed overnight destruction of the same Lounge in which the Minister had been our time-honored VIP guest, just to force our move to the Domestic terminal.
·Finally, the FG’s total disregard of its promise, enshrined in the FG-Virgin MOU
and so, we FAILED to sustain the world class airline we built.
Few lessons
- Don’t make promises you don’t intend to keep
- Treat your people well and they will give heart, mind, hands, and soul to your cause.
- The right expertise to build a world class airline from the ground up exist locally but the International nature of the business requires foreign complements for best results.
·Highly placed officials attempt to hijack our aircraft to resolve unconnected Hajj ops
·A Minister who descended into the arena to reallocate airline counters.
·An ambush of our Executives with a press team to concoct nonexistent company safety issues, out of a well-handled flight incident.
·A directed overnight destruction of the same Lounge in which the Minister had been our time-honored VIP guest, just to force our move to the Domestic terminal.
- A Lagos Hub can work, but needs synergy between Airline, Airport and Government agencies.
- A Flag carrier can deliver the need of the Nation without Government funding.
- Security must be innovative and must serve requirements of the customers and business. Threat-based security approach works, Gateman approach fails
Yet, a Phoenix arose out of the ashes of our failure. A gift to the industry that keeps on giving. A Virgin Phoenix- a force for good.
Our world class multinational team and network: bonded by its ethos; professionalism and knowledge; instilled from our association; forged and deepened by our shared experiences. We became Virgins for life.
Adeniyi is an Aviation Management Consultant
