A regular flight of Air Madagascar from Antananarivo bound to Paris CDG has been simply diverted by the new President of Madagascar, Andry Rajoelina.
The flight made a detour by Dakar, west of Africa in order to let Rajoelina meeting the President of Senegal.
Passengers were only advised at the last minute before taking off of this odd and unusual diversion.
Some of them had to change their seats to let Mr President sitting at the front of the airplane. Few of the french passengers onboard tried to protest to the crew but were told to calm down and that nothing could be changed as this was an order from the top...
The flight finally arrived at Paris CDG with a 9 hours delay.
The visit of Rajoelina to Dakar was scheduled in advance and was not a last minute change.
It seems that it is quite usual in this country to have the President using regular flights and changing routes for their own need without taking care of the passengers.
YOWza From Canada, joined Jul 2005, 4660 posts, RR: 22 Reply 1, posted (2 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 7328 times:
Quoting Sneiled (Thread starter): It seems that it is quite usual in this country to have the President using regular flights and changing routes for their own need without taking care of the passengers.
Banda pulled moves like this with Air Malawi a few times in the 80s when I was living there. Sadly in parts of the world this degree of selfishness, short sightedness and stupidity are tolerated.
Flymad From South Africa, joined Jun 2006, 207 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (2 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 7022 times:
Quoting YOWza (Reply 1): Quoting Sneiled (Thread starter):
It seems that it is quite usual in this country to have the President using regular flights and changing routes for their own need without taking care of the passengers.
Banda pulled moves like this with Air Malawi a few times in the 80s when I was living there. Sadly in parts of the world this degree of selfishness, short sightedness and stupidity are tolerated.
At least the president allows other passengers to travel with him. Mugabe cancels the entire (scheduled) flight and uses the a/c just for himself and his entourage.
Cchan From New Zealand, joined May 2003, 1491 posts, RR: 2 Reply 5, posted (2 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 7020 times:
I think the president has done well in this case, instead of spending state money to do a charter as many others would have done. Madagascar is not rich!
For security reasons, would the airline tell the passengers, before departure, that the president is on the flight? No.
The passengers are inconvenienced, but it is still better than canceling the flight altogether to let the president have the aircraft. I can't see anything wrong there.
NZ8800 From New Zealand, joined May 2006, 425 posts, RR: 3 Reply 6, posted (2 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 6948 times:
LOL - it's Air Madagascar!
I've flown with them - not sure if I would do it again, but more for the reason that nothing seemed to be bolted to the floor of the 737, than that we'd be diverted by the President...
I'm not surprised that it happened though - not surprised at all.
MDZWTA ~ Mobile Disaster Zone When Travelling Abroad
LH526 From Germany, joined Aug 2000, 2162 posts, RR: 20 Reply 8, posted (2 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 6897 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW FORUM MODERATOR
Quoting Cchan (Reply 5): I think the president has done well in this case, instead of spending state money to do a charter as many others would have done. Madagascar is not rich!
For security reasons, would the airline tell the passengers, before departure, that the president is on the flight? No.
Same with LH, Irans foreign minister flew First class FRA-JFK (yeah, bash the capitalist western countroes but enjoy a ride on a German airline in a plane designed and build with Israeli technology .... oh you risible piece of *****) German police were with them when they boarded in FRA, the small cases with firearms were handed oer to the captain who knew what was going on but kept silent druignt eh whole flight.
I did not know if he knew exactly what was going on or who EXACTLY he flew ("Some" iranian guy with handguns is different to Ahmadinis left hand minister with bodyguards)
Even the captain only got informed after he reiceved gate clearance after landing in JFK that he had to taxi to a remote stand and let the Iranian politicians deboard via stairs and a armada of police and security cars ....
Mario
LH526
Trittst im Morgenrot daher, seh ich dich im Strahlenmeer ...
YOWza From Canada, joined Jul 2005, 4660 posts, RR: 22 Reply 10, posted (2 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 6432 times:
Quoting Flymad (Reply 4): At least the president allows other passengers to travel with him. Mugabe cancels the entire (scheduled) flight and uses the a/c just for himself and his entourage.
I would prefer he steal the plane without me on it so that I can make my own arrangements to get where I'm going on time. This was Banda and others' MO. Not that I'm trying to cast positive light on Mugabe, despicable piece of crap that he is.
Quoting Cchan (Reply 5): I think the president has done well in this case
Are you serious bru?
Quoting Cchan (Reply 5): instead of spending state money to do a charter as many others would have done. Madagascar is not rich!
Rich or poor, it doesn't matter this is not an acceptable stunt. Since you brought up the "poor" factor how many of the foreigners on that plane are going to go home with a good impression of Madagascar and spread its charms?
Quoting Cchan (Reply 5): I can't see anything wrong there.
Putting an entire plane load of people 9 hours behind schedule is not wrong? Please get real.
Quoting LH526 (Reply 8): bash the capitalist western countroes but enjoy a ride on a German airline in a plane designed and build with Israeli technology
Iran's problem is not with capitalism it's with western freedoms and values so being in F on LH is not even a slight issue... As for Israeli technology I would love to know what you're talking about...
Quoting YOWza (Reply 10): Rich or poor, it doesn't matter this is not an acceptable stunt.
When your country don't even have enough money to feed the people, you would rather your president divert a scheduled flight than to go on a special flight and have the plane come back empty. Needless to say, the plane will fly empty to pick up the president later. How much will sending a plane on 2 special missions cost compared to diverting a scheduled flight?
Quoting YOWza (Reply 10): Since you brought up the "poor" factor how many of the foreigners on that plane are going to go home with a good impression of Madagascar and spread its charms?
These 200 or so passengers may not be happy, but many more people in Madagascar will be unhappy if the president wastes public money.
Quoting YOWza (Reply 10): Putting an entire plane load of people 9 hours behind schedule is not wrong? Please get real.
That is the president's best option considering the cost to the taxpayers. Why does a president want to share a plane with a bunch of tourists alike? Isn't it more comfortable to have a plane by oneself? Please get real.
LH526 From Germany, joined Aug 2000, 2162 posts, RR: 20 Reply 12, posted (2 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days 13 hours ago) and read 6251 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW FORUM MODERATOR
Quoting Cchan (Reply 11): ran's problem is not with capitalism it's with western freedoms and values so being in F on LH is not even a slight issue... As for Israeli technology I would love to know what you're talking about...
Part of the electronic is based on Israeli technology.
Quoting Cchan (Reply 11): hat is the president's best option considering the cost to the taxpayers. Why does a president want to share a plane with a bunch of tourists alike? Isn't it more comfortable to have a plane by oneself? Please get real.
So, to make a long story short, The diversion was the cheapest option, and making previous announcements was a security no-go ... so it was the best available option.
Trittst im Morgenrot daher, seh ich dich im Strahlenmeer ...
Larshjort From Denmark, joined Dec 2007, 982 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (2 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days 13 hours ago) and read 6212 times:
Quoting Cchan (Reply 11): That is the president's best option considering the cost to the taxpayers. Why does a president want to share a plane with a bunch of tourists alike? Isn't it more comfortable to have a plane by oneself? Please get real.
Whatr about the president took a scheduled flight to Dakar instead of diverting a flight going to Paris?
Cchan From New Zealand, joined May 2003, 1491 posts, RR: 2 Reply 14, posted (2 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days 12 hours ago) and read 6127 times:
Quoting LH526 (Reply 12): So, to make a long story short, The diversion was the cheapest option, and making previous announcements was a security no-go ... so it was the best available option.
Quoting Larshjort (Reply 13): Whatr about the president took a scheduled flight to Dakar instead of diverting a flight going to Paris?
There are no direct schedule flights between Madagascar and Senegal. One also need to take into account of the background of this guy, how he comes into power. There are certainly people who want to get rid of him. IMHO, what he did is reasonable.
RFields5421 From United States of America, joined Jul 2007, 4715 posts, RR: 21 Reply 15, posted (2 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days 9 hours ago) and read 5928 times:
I remember seeing photos of a B737 'owned' by the government of Madagascar for government executives transport - in places like Stockholm, Zurich, Paris - is that plane gone now?
Viscount724 From Switzerland, joined Oct 2006, 17757 posts, RR: 17 Reply 16, posted (2 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days 8 hours ago) and read 5914 times:
Quoting RFields5421 (Reply 15): remember seeing photos of a B737 'owned' by the government of Madagascar for government executives transport - in places like Stockholm, Zurich, Paris - is that plane gone now?
Latest A.net photo of that 737-300 is dated May 2008. They acquired it from Lauda Air in 2002.
Borism From Estonia, joined Oct 2006, 431 posts, RR: 0 Reply 17, posted (2 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days ago) and read 5067 times:
Perhaps previous "President" took it to undisclosed location on escape from current "President" and his supporters?
To quote Wikipedia:
"The political situation in Madagascar has been marked by struggle for control. After Madagascar gained independence from France in 1960, assassinations, military coups and disputed elections featured prominently."
So diverting to Dakar, Senegal for a mere 9 hours would be way down on my list of worries when travelling to/from Madagascar.
Varig md-11 From France, joined Jul 2000, 1529 posts, RR: 10 Reply 21, posted (2 years 8 months 2 weeks 3 days 20 hours ago) and read 4441 times:
Additional reason to avaoid Air Madagascar
The first one being the state of the fleet: I remember at the end of the 90s they had leased a 742 to Air Algérie on the CDG-ALG-CDG summer "shuttle"
Before EACH flight, the cover of one of the reactors was unlatched for hours with techs hammering in it...of course the flight was late and/or cancelled accordingly
And what's so surprising? after all, at the time of Air Gabon Air Afrique and Cameroon airlines it was a very common "procedure" to disembark regular customers so that a last minute minister or diplomat pax could join the flight.... and/or unload pax suitcases and forget them on the ground to replace them with "special cargo" for state buddies
AF TW AA NW BA U2 TP UX LH SK AZ MP KL SN VY HV LS SS TK SQ RG
AirNZ From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 22, posted (2 years 8 months 2 weeks 3 days 19 hours ago) and read 4367 times:
Quoting YOWza (Reply 10): Putting an entire plane load of people 9 hours behind schedule is not wrong? Please get real.
"Get real" in whose estimation though and the poster is correctly entitled to his opinion?
Furthermore, how many aircraft are delayed every day of the week, or is for example, a diversion because someone apparantly shouldn't be on a plane to NA any different to 'inconvenienced' passengers?
Mayor From United States of America, joined Mar 2008, 7195 posts, RR: 10 Reply 23, posted (2 years 8 months 2 weeks 3 days 18 hours ago) and read 4281 times:
Quoting AirNZ (Reply 22): Furthermore, how many aircraft are delayed every day of the week, or is for example, a diversion because someone apparantly shouldn't be on a plane to NA any different to 'inconvenienced' passengers?
Well, I would think the difference is that one is a deliberate act and the other is just to clear up a mistake.
"A committee is a group of the unprepared, appointed by the unwilling, to do the unnecessary"----Fred Allen
TWAL1011727 From United States of America, joined Mar 2006, 573 posts, RR: 0 Reply 24, posted (2 years 8 months 2 weeks 3 days 18 hours ago) and read 4281 times:
27 Varig md-11: Merci AirGabon By the way, I can't imagine old 742 combi President Leon M'ba was dismantled with a Hyundai construction machine at Vatry airport
28 ETStar: Could not agree more. What the airline could/should do is perhaps up the level of service on the flight, provide additional FF mileage if applicable,
29 YOWza: Gentlemen I think it's time to cut the crap. This was not a cost cutting measure this was sheer arrogance and bravado by the president. If he cared s
30 Varig md-11: Let's be serious I don't see where is the shame in flying a commercial flight in first instead of having a plane making a 8h detour with 200 pax...eve
31 EDICHC: I have to say that 'VIP' travel inconveniences travellers in many countries. When Air force One is carrying the US president the air space around it i
32 Cchan: I don't think the president is being arrogant at all, if he has any intention of being arrogant, he would have kicked out the passengers, cancelled t
33 EDICHC: Perhaps not as high as for the president of Madagascar but risk is still significant. Or do I have to remind you of the murder of Lord Mountbatten by
34 Cchan: Closing airspace to private aircrafts is reasonable, but for commercial flights, they are not going to pose a security risk, are they? Considering ho
35 EDICHC: I agree the risk from commercial trafffic must be negligible but that is the policy of both the US and Philippine governments.
36 Cchan: By the way, the political situation was probably different at the time the Queen went on NZ, and blowing up NZ metal means offending a 3rd country, w
37 EDICHC: The Queen flew on BA when she went to NZ (not possible now of course). Ohh you poor soul! No offence meant to our Filipino members here (my wife is F
38 Cchan: From memory it was an Air NZ 747-200. The story appeared on TVNZ at the time. It was not pleasant, but not too bad. I was on PX from HKG to POM with
39 EDICHC: Must have had a diplomatic change of a/c en-route as I am certain her departure from LHR was on a BA747.
40 Cchan: It was in the late 1990s. BA didn't even fly to AKL with their own metal at that time.
41 YOWza: I guess different people have different thresholds determining what constitutes arrogance. Inconveniencing 200 people when another (less costly) opti
42 Cchan: We have different opinions on this matter, however, I do not want to enter a "my dxxk is bigger than yours" type of argument. You are free to express
43 YOWza: That's exactly what I'm suggesting. C is more than adequate. As I've said being head of state does not entitle you to point to point travel. I was re
44 Cchan: But that is still putting other passengers at risk by putting someone who maybe a target of assassination with them? As I said, I don't go into compa
45 YOWza: Indeed it would still expose innocents to risk but not risk and inconvienence as was the case in with how it actually unfolded. In other words not lo
46 Cchan: YOWza, If you want to win this argument, yes you won. I am posting here to discuss the matter, I am not posting to argue nor to attack other posters,
47 YOWza: huh? What? I'm so confused I'm having an incredibly hard time following not only your thought process but also your typing. No offense meant man but
48 Viscount724: The Queen flew on a scheduled NZ flight LHR-LAX-AKL in late October 1995. The first class cabin was converted for her use. http://www.thestandard.com
49 Cchan: If you have been following SA news, government officials have used "that is the effect of apartheid" to explain why things go wrong, so often that it
50 EDICHC: I must be getting confused with her travelling BA on another state visit. It was covered during an episode of the BBC TV behind the scenes documentar
51 Boeing747_600: Back in the day you would have been fined for your posting because you did not refer to him by his official title "His Excellency President-for-Life
52 YOWza: Wow there are not too many people kicking around these days that remember much of Banda! Did you ever happen to catch one of his marathon speeches? Y
53 Boeing747_600: No. I was in neighbouring Zambia as a grade school kid in the early 70s and hence spared Banda's pomposity Compared to him, Kaunda, no model of en
54 IAirAllie: I see at least 3 things wrong. 1. If he is really concerned about waste he should have just teleconferenced. This would make me and anyone else readi
55 Cchan: That is very different from a state visit. What about the many airline staff strikes each year that are happening over the world? In this case, the p
56 IAirAllie: State visits are about ego. If his country can't afford it he shouldn't do it. I'd rather wait or take a reroute some would probably choose to go. Po
57 YOWza: Well the "respected" part depends on which version of history you read. If you read this entire thread you will see I've tried to point out how wr
58 Cchan: How do you know? Did someone request to get off but denied by the airline? Pride is not the sole factor governments make special arrangements for the
59 PROSA: Did President Rajoelina have to travel as an unaccompanied minor?
60 Mayor: You can't justify one wrong by stating that another is worse. If the gov't. of Madagascar had really planned this in advance, obstensibaly to minimiz
61 YOWza: hahahah please are you serious? It's because of statements like this that I asked you earlier how long you've lived in Africa. (All due respect meant
62 Cchan: So you think he personally has the power to do anything he likes? I would think otherwise, it is the military behind him that has the power to decide
63 Varig md-11: Btw, just read an article today about the Queen of Spain flying Ryanair to the UK from Spain, not because it was the cheapest but because it was the m
64 YOWza: Right now yes. Depends who you ask. Sure they are not getting in the way right now but not interfering and supporting are different things. Running a
65 IAirAllie: Totally irrelevant to the topic or the argument YOWza made. The relevant fact is he did have the power to do THIS specific incident. The translation
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