Abrelosojos From Venezuela, joined May 2005, 4551 posts, RR: 56 Posted (2 years 3 months 4 weeks 4 hours ago) and read 15621 times:
Feedback always appreciated.
Trip Report: 089
Flight Category: J-ILR (See Report End)
Date: 20 Nov-09 (See Report End)
SDT/SAT/Dur/Delay: 0800/1530/08:30 hrs
Flight: African Express Airways 522, 2470 miles
Routing: DXB-BBO-MGQ-WJR-NBO
Aircraft: M82
Seat: Business “Club” Class, “1A” (Supposedly)
I > Background:
This is a trip report called the “Other.” It features the “other” major Kenyan airline; the “other” Kenya (never knew there was a whole “Muslim Kenya”); it features the “other” Dubai terminal; it features passengers who are considered “other”; and finally, it reports on the “other” routing from DXB to NBO.
While EK and KQ offer nearly 4 flights at peak between DXB and NBO, I decided to use my post engagement vacation to fly an exotic airline on an exotic route.
I believe this will be the first report on African Express Airways; and the first featuring airports at Berbera (Somaliland), Mogadishu (Somalia), and Wajir (Kenya). On a personal note, this would be my first flight with 3 stops.
II > Pre-Flight:
a) Before Airport:
African Express Airways is the second fully Kenyan designated airline to over 30 countries in four continents. The airline is the largest and oldest privately owned in East Africa based at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. It is a profitable, growing, short-haul airline which targets business and leisure travelers, and operates a daily departure from Nairobi.
The hardest part of planning this trip was booking of the flight itself. African Express Airways’ website at www.africanexpress.co.ke has some useful information and a schedule that seemed to actually be correct. Since “such airlines” usually never update their website, so I had to check several GDS systems which had sporadic information on the airline. Worse, no website or any agency (including my angel in CCS) could book the flight. So, I ended up ringing their office in SHJ and spoke to a woman who assured me that I was “reserved” for the flight and that I could pay cash and get the ticket at the counter at DXB. Relying on good faith, and my luck, I decided to go to DXB and see how things played out.
b) At Airport:
African Express Airways uses T1 at DXB. This is DXB’s long-forgotten terminal lacking the glamor of the new terminals. This is where you see the “other Dubai.” The hard working laborers from various developing countries who built Dubai; these are the men and (few) women who have toiled under hard conditions to create the image the rulers of Dubai want to create.
Here, there are no “premium” check-in queues or security. You are met by a surly officer who directs you to a long security queue before check-in. As I approached check-in, my heart raced seeing the huge queues and wondering whether I would have a seat. I walked straight to the counter and asked a lady if I could speak to “Ms. Fatima” … the name I was given over the phone. “Ms. Fatima”, a nice Kenyan lady smiled when I introduced myself and said that she (too) was wondering whether I would show up . Next, we did some small talk on the airline industry, my passion for flying, and how the flight ex-DXB was going full. As she heard of my interest in airlines, she went back to the office and got me some African Express stickers and some “Priority” bag tags. I don’t know which was more impressive … the fact that she went and got me these … or the fact that XU actually printed them! In front of me, I paid cash and she filled my name and class of travel on a hand-written ticket which already had the destination and flight number written before. As she wrote the ticket, I paused to reflect what a wonderful feeling it was to have someone raise no concern of a random person walking to a counter and buying a one-way J ticket with cash on a flight to NBO with 3 intermediate stops … worse (as I found out later), I was the only passenger to go all the way from DXB to NBO!
Pleasantries exchanged, I went through a rather dour immigration officer (why are immigration folks at DXB so dour?), and then went to T1 gate area. Never having used the terminal, I was in for a shock. This was really the “other” Dubai. There was one duty-free store and hordes of people heading to such exotic cities as Kandahar, Kabul, Baghdad, and Basra. Another interesting thing was that there is no lounge access in T1.
Boarding was called on time and I made it to the gate. It was interesting to see the passenger mix. Almost everyone (except me) was headed to Somalia – and it showed. They all had the flowing Somali national dresses and the flight looked like something out of a movie. I was the only white person on-board and definitely got strange looks. Prior to boarding the bus, Ms. Fatima wished me well and I was off. Pulling onto the plane, the African Express M82 looked out of place at DXB. Entering the aircraft, I traveled back to the 1990s. The origin of the M82 in Alitalia was very evident as it had retained all its original green colors and seats. Even worse were the logos throughout the cabin. Finally, at several points, there in-flight announcements made in Italian welcoming us to Alitalia !
During boarding, the crew haphazardly walked around welcoming passengers and helping with the bags. Seat assignments were rarely adhered to. My seat 1A (which had the next seat blocked by Ms. Fatima) was taken by the flight engineer and there was no apology attempt. I was asked to take any seat … as many on-the-spot upgrades happened. This practice of on-the-spot upgrades happened at every intermediate stop … and one of them due to a “bribe” of some DXB duty-free. However, the easy going crew made me feel more like a flight in the 1980s and I knew it was going to be one fun ride. A highlight of this was during the initial DXB-BBO leg, a Y passenger came and sat on my seat whilst I was at the bathroom. When I came back and told him it was my seat, he shrugged and sat on the seat next to me. He was blasé about it … so were the crew! Both J and Y load were over 90%.
Airport - External:
(DXB T1)
(Security line to check-in)
Check-in:
(Check-in)
Airport - Internal:
(Internal)
(FIDS: pretty exotic)
(Post Security @ DXB)
Scenes of the tarmac:
Lounge
NONE
Boarding:
(Gate area)
(Organized boarding)
(At aircraft)
III> In-Flight:
a) Service Schedule + Impressions:
Nothing distributed while on ground. On the DXB-BBO, breakfast service occurred which had no choices. It was actually quite funny when I asked the nice purser what were my choices and he responded with a smile … “you don’t have one”. Haha. On BBO-MGQ, there was a beverage run. On MGQ-WJR, lunch service. Again, no choices.
The highlight of the flight … and the reason I took it was of course the experience of stopping in Somaliland and Somalia. Of course, it did not disappoint. As the pictures would show, Berbera was a long airstrip with no real terminal building. It was something from a hijack movie (or from yesteryears) with cars pulling right next to the plane, and the entire town coming to greet the arrival. I have never seen civilian cars pull up next to a plane. Moreover, the boarding of the passengers were basically single-file onto the aircraft with the ground crew handing over cash to the purser from all the ticket sales. It was more of a market than an airline!
African Express probably is one of the few airlines in the world with no cabotage rights as it can pick up passengers at BBO and drop them at MGQ. Though, to be fair, it is a flight between Somaliland and Somalia. On the short flight to MGQ, the passenger dynamic changed as there were many more veiled women. MGQ airport was very 1950’s Italian architecture and the heavy military presence was pretty obvious. The setting of the airport is beautiful, and the approach over the crystalline waters quite the sight.
Since the Kenyan authorities do not trust the Somalis (rightfully so as BBO had no security checks for passengers), the flight cannot land directly in NBO. It flies to an obscure border town of Wajir where we all disembarked (like a hijack movie), cleared immigration, and had out bags laid out in tarmac to be screened and checked. All very surreal. Post Wajir, we were finally given the green light to land in NBO. Of course, landing in NBO was another ordeal … however, you can read more on that at the end of this report. And yes, I can be a tease.
b) Aircraft + Seats:
African Express Airways M82 looked like they belong to a different era. The livery with its multi-colored cheatline beckoned a different age of flying. The ex-Alitalia aircraft had not changed much inside and showed her age. However, that was part of the charm. The bathrooms too embraced this nostalgic feel with even the soap container having AZ markings. To the crews credit however, the bathroom was kept clean throughout the flight.
African Express’ J class configuration was the same as AZ’s European J class; and, not that different from what you would find in a U.S. domestic J. The seats were not something you would want to get stuck in for a long time with its restricted pitch and recline.
However, to be fair, one should not expect lie-flat seats on medium haul international runs anyways.
Aircraft:
(@ WJR)
(@DXB)
Views from Aircraft:
(DXB)
(380-1)
(380-2)
(380-3/4/5; soon there will be like 50?)
(Dubai and big)
(Over Yemen)
(Approaching Berbera, Somaliland)
(Berbera “airport”)
(Everyone comes to visit … including the UN. All can pretty much just park their car next to the plane)
(Apparently pirate ship)
(Sitting at BBO)
(Over Somalia)
(Approaching MGQ)
(MGQ curios)
(Mogadishu Airport)
(Disembarking at WJR)
(WJR)
(@WJR)
(Crazy immigration)
(Bags being put on tarmac)
General Seat Views + Seat Legroom
(Seat controls … hmm)
(Ample legroom)
Seat Recline + Angle View:
Cabin:
(Y Class)
(Ciao Alitalia)
(Bathroom Amenities – shows AZ pedigree)
c) Meal + Beverage:
On the flight from DXB to BBO, breakfast was served. There was no real option and all J class passengers got a standard offering that was very reminiscent of a 1980’s Y class meal. A croissant, a piece of bread, some fruits, and an egg/potato/chicken combination dish. The pictures should give you an indication of what I mean.
On the BBO to MGQ run, the crew came by asking us if we wanted anything for a drink.
Finally, on the MGQ to NBO run, a lunch option was served. Again, it was very 1980’s Y class meal consisting of a weird egg salad, some fruits, and a rather interesting mix of rice and mystery meat. Given that the meal was loaded in MGQ and had hand-written notes, I first thought it was very quant … later that feeling gave away to this nervous thought of whether I would fall sick. I was later told by the pursar that they go to a local restaurant and pick up some food in plastic bags. Haha. How very quaint. Oh, and I did not fall sick.
Throughout the flight, the crew would periodically come by and ask if we wanted something to drink. Finally, no alcohol served as it was the “other Kenya”.
(Breakfast – DXB-BBO)
(Lunch – MGQ-WJR: directly from a food seller - LOL)
d) Inflight Entertainment:
The IFE was watching the people and catching up on a good book. No IFE of any form … not even a magazine. To be fair, the experience was the IFE for me.
NONE
(“In-flight magazines”, Boarding Passes, etc.)
e) Crew:
The African Express Airways crew was a nice bunch. They embodied a genuine sense of warmth that is often missing in today’s flight attendants. A jovial bunch, they helped out during the boarding process and were seen throughout the flight talking with passengers. They were definitely not refined or particularly attractive. Nor, did they go out of their way to please passengers through frequent water runs on anticipatory service. However, everything they did was heartfelt and their smile gave a good indication of how much they enjoyed their job. At each stop, they were greeted by the local ground handlers as long-lost friends. It all contributed to an overall feeling of closeness which is often amiss in today’s world.
IV> Post-Flight:
Arrival at NBO was annoying. While XU does clear immigration at WJR, the folks at NBO are over paranoid of any arrivals from Somalia. After landing, we were taken to a hold area where our bags were screened (again), as we went through the metal detector (again). This was also done at WJR. I created quite an uproar amongst the security personnel as I was not in any of the flight manifest. This is when I found out that I was the only passenger flying all the way from DXB … of course, the guys were very suspicious on why I had chosen to do so. After passing through this screening, we were put back onto the general “secure” JKIA area and were asked to just proceed through regular international immigration to collect our luggage. Now, the “handlers” were very confused on why I didn’t have an arrivals form as I kept on saying I had already “checked-in” to Kenya at WJR. After persuading them to let me through, I had to flash my passport and entry stamp at the immigration official who kept on saying how weird it was that I had entered at WJR. Anyways, after this drama, ended up at the baggage hall where it took 1+ hour for the bags to arrive. Apparently, all bags from Somali flights are screened on the tarmac (already done at WJR), and then goes through machine before it can be reclaimed.
(NBO Scene)
(Arrivals chaos @ NBO)
(Where do these lead to?)
(NBO Arrivals)
V> Impressions + Scores:
I did not fly African Express Airways to mark its candidacy as a vetted airline for the general public. I took it to experience an exotic carrier and also fly to Somaliland and Somalia. In this respect, XU did not disappoint. It was an amazing experience that took me back to an age where multi-stop flights were normal, and IFE involved talking to your fellow passengers and observing the scenario out of the window. Of course, one can pause to congratulate the great ground crew at DXB, and equally muse at the lack of IFE, the poor seats, and the general blah catering.
African Express Airways is an experience airline fanatics should definitely undertake at some point to enhance their flight repertoire. However, its multi-stop itinerary is not something I’d take as a regular leisure/business traveler. For the experience ONLY, a two-thumps up.
(Note on Codes: Y – Economy, J – Business, F – First :: I/D – International/Domestic :: SR/MR/LR – Short/Medium/Long Haul)
(Note on Date: Dates are modified to be +/- 3 days from actual flight date to not reveal actual flight pattern)
SOBHI51 From Saudi Arabia, joined Jun 2003, 2775 posts, RR: 16 Reply 1, posted (2 years 3 months 4 weeks 3 hours ago) and read 15526 times:
A great report about an airline i never heard of. I salute your courage, will never take such a flight even if they pay me.
Loved it with the seat situations, wonder why FA did not intervene.
Again thank you,well done
PlunaCRJ From Uruguay, joined Nov 2007, 546 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (2 years 3 months 4 weeks 1 hour ago) and read 15048 times:
What a fantastic TR! I had never heard of this airline before reading your TR.
Your TR shows that genuine warmness and a human, fun and non pretentious approach to service can beat the best ultra-trained crews and the most advanced harware.
Regards,
[Edited 2010-01-28 10:37:08]
"The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom"- Isaac Asimo
Abrelosojos From Venezuela, joined May 2005, 4551 posts, RR: 56 Reply 5, posted (2 years 3 months 4 weeks 1 hour ago) and read 15048 times:
Quoting SOBHI51 (Reply 1): A great report about an airline i never heard of. I salute your courage, will never take such a flight even if they pay me.
Loved it with the seat situations, wonder why FA did not intervene.
Again thank you,well done
= Ya. I definitely had random thoughts on points of the trip.
Quoting LIA310 (Reply 2): What an amazing experience ! And an excellent TR as usual ! I always look forward to reading your TR's !
= Thanks.
Quoting LYchemsa (Reply 3): All I can say is "Wow." Fantastic to read. I notice that the hostess also covers her hair which as you say is the other Kenya.
= What was interesting was the annoucements on the flight were made in English and Arabic. Not Swahili. Moreover, I think the crew reflected the diversity of Kenya: a veiled crew member, another Christian Kenyan, and a Indo-Kenyan captain.
Debonair From Germany, joined Jan 2004, 1738 posts, RR: 4 Reply 6, posted (2 years 3 months 3 weeks 6 days 22 hours ago) and read 14602 times:
WOW, WOW- just fantastic...
Sorry to ask you straight- how much did you paid?
Is there a huge difference between the fares of KQ/EK-J-Class to XU's J-Class? AFAIK the a/c is operated by Safair; is it true?- I found one older press-release but without the names of the airlines involved: http://www.safair.co.za/news/
Airbuseric From Netherlands, joined Jan 2005, 3735 posts, RR: 52 Reply 7, posted (2 years 3 months 3 weeks 6 days 21 hours ago) and read 14488 times:
Hi A.!
That's what I call a tripreport . Never heard of this airline. Actually I first thought about East African affliated something or so. I remember their B763, which was in AMS, stored for a while. But when I started reading, it turned out completely different.
And that picture of Y-class, what a mess I wouldn't feel completely relaxed on such a flight, but as you say, the experience is nice, especially when you make it to the end without problems and trouble.
Thanks for sharing, and I hope you treat us again with such a trip in the future!
Regards,
Eric
"The whole world steps aside for the man who knows where he is going"
Burj From United States of America, joined Nov 2007, 764 posts, RR: 4 Reply 8, posted (2 years 3 months 3 weeks 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 14144 times:
Wow!! Thank you so much sharing your adventure with us! I admire you sense of adventure! Wish I could join you!
MHTripple7 From United States of America, joined Feb 2008, 945 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (2 years 3 months 3 weeks 6 days 17 hours ago) and read 14043 times:
Wow, what a cool experience! I've never heard of XU until this trip report. Definitely an exotic airline I would say, along with the routing.
Quoting Abrelosojos (Thread starter): (Everyone comes to visit … including the UN. All can pretty much just park their car next to the plane)
Haha, that is a great picture. Did you land on a paved runway or was it compacted dirt?
Carfield From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 1501 posts, RR: 9 Reply 10, posted (2 years 3 months 3 weeks 6 days 17 hours ago) and read 14026 times:
Excellent trip report and this trip looked amazing!
TravelsUK From United Kingdom, joined Dec 2007, 122 posts, RR: 0 Reply 11, posted (2 years 3 months 3 weeks 6 days 16 hours ago) and read 13991 times:
The most interesting TR I have read - great stuff!
Surprised that given the airline is from the 'other' Kenya they don't fly to Mombasa (from DXB etc.) instead of Nairobi as that is where most Muslim Kenyans reside.
Abrelosojos From Venezuela, joined May 2005, 4551 posts, RR: 56 Reply 12, posted (2 years 3 months 3 weeks 6 days 16 hours ago) and read 13977 times:
Quoting Debonair (Reply 6): Sorry to ask you straight- how much did you paid?
= 2,475 AED.
Quoting Debonair (Reply 6): AFAIK the a/c is operated by Safair; is it true?- I found one older press-release but without the names of the airlines involved: http://www.safair.co.za/news/
= I dont think so. I think this is one of their 2 ex-AZ birds.
= Well, UKDispatcher already has an awesome Daalo TR. I will try them only if I can get onboard an IL-18.
Quoting Airbuseric (Reply 7): I wouldn't feel completely relaxed on such a flight, but as you say, the experience is nice, especially when you make it to the end without problems and trouble.
= It was weird being the only white guy ... but soon, it was OK.
Quoting Burj (Reply 8): Wow!! Thank you so much sharing your adventure with us! I admire you sense of adventure! Wish I could join you!
= Next time, COME!
Quoting MHTripple7 (Reply 9): I've never heard of XU until this trip report.
= I am surprised so many people never heard of them.
Quoting MHTripple7 (Reply 9): Did you land on a paved runway or was it compacted dirt?
= Paved runway - all else dirt AFAIR.
Quoting MHTripple7 (Reply 9): That's something you don't see often. How did it taste?
= Um, think mystery meat from a food stall in Africa.
Quoting TravelsUK (Reply 11): The most interesting TR I have read - great stuff!
= Thanks.
Quoting TravelsUK (Reply 11): Surprised that given the airline is from the 'other' Kenya they don't fly to Mombasa (from DXB etc.) instead of Nairobi as that is where most Muslim Kenyans reside.
= I think the "other Kenya" is connected via ADE and MGQ or something. They do have a flight to HAH (another Muslim part) which AFAIR is connected via MBA.
The777Man From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 5564 posts, RR: 58 Reply 13, posted (2 years 3 months 3 weeks 6 days 16 hours ago) and read 13956 times:
Amazing report! You were very brave to try such a route on such an airline!
Quoting Abrelosojos (Thread starter): Finally, at several points, there in-flight announcements made in Italian welcoming us to Alitalia !
Very odd! Was that a recording ?
The breakfeast actually looks pretty good; dinner looks okay although not so sure about the mystery meat......
Thanks again for the great photos!
Nice to see that African Express actually beat Singapore Airlines CCU-SIN......
UK_Dispatcher From China, joined Dec 2001, 2505 posts, RR: 38 Reply 14, posted (2 years 3 months 3 weeks 6 days 14 hours ago) and read 13859 times:
Superb!
Whilst researching my Daallo Airlines trip, I found many flights with African Express. Up until around last year they also seemed to be operating the DC-9, but I guess now it is all MD80s.
How did you feel at MGQ? Did it seem secure? My fear is the aircraft going tech there and the implications of being an unprotected foreigner.
Anyway, great report. We must catch up if you are in AUH again. I saw your post to me in another thread saying you'd be here (too late, as you's already been) and sadly I didn't get your e-mail.
Quoting The777Man (Reply 13): Nice to see that African Express actually beat Singapore Airlines CCU-SIN......
= Well, SQ SUCKED on that trip.
Quoting UK_Dispatcher (Reply 14): How did you feel at MGQ? Did it seem secure? My fear is the aircraft going tech there and the implications of being an unprotected foreigner.
= I definitely felt much MORE insecure at MGQ than at any point on the trip. There was also an aura of tension amongst the crew. At BBO, the crew took pictures of me with the airport in the background. It was flatly refused at MGQ. I am glad the aircraft did not go tech. I would not want to be the white man at MGQ. Having said that, a Venezuelan or Liechtenstein passport would have it easier than a Brit passport I would think.
Quoting UK_Dispatcher (Reply 14): We must catch up if you are in AUH again. I saw your post to me in another thread saying you'd be here (too late, as you's already been) and sadly I didn't get your e-mail.
= Will do.
Quoting Ojas (Reply 15): I really have no words for this TR! I'm just floored. What an adventure and what an awesome experience!
= Thanks.
Quoting Ojas (Reply 15): However one question .... at the Berbera "airport" .... security? I mean no security at all?
= Nope. Locals just queued up in front of the aircraft. I wouldnt even know where they would do security.
Ojas From India, joined Mar 2008, 2633 posts, RR: 24 Reply 17, posted (2 years 3 months 3 weeks 6 days 12 hours ago) and read 13692 times:
Quoting Abrelosojos (Reply 16): Ya. However, SQ is still better than your favorite Gulf carrier IMHO
Totally, SQ is way better. In fact for me, I have had the best "total" flight experience on SQ.
One suggestion, with 89 TRs on A.net, I guess it is time for you to write a book on all your flying, airlines, aircrafts etc etc. A compilation of all that along with the change an airline went with time will be an interesting read for everyone.
A lion does not concern himself with the opinions of the sheep
Abrelosojos From Venezuela, joined May 2005, 4551 posts, RR: 56 Reply 19, posted (2 years 3 months 3 weeks 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 12858 times:
Quoting Ojas (Reply 17): One suggestion, with 89 TRs on A.net, I guess it is time for you to write a book on all your flying, airlines, aircrafts etc etc. A compilation of all that along with the change an airline went with time will be an interesting read for everyone.
= Haha. Wish I had the time man. I am putting in 300 days on the road for work and it is not fun.
Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 18): Wouldn't it been much cozier back in the economy class - to get that special local feeling, youknow?
= Well. I did hang out a lot in the back with people, playing cards, etc. Ticketed J just in case there was say an irregular ops and I was stuck in MGQ.
BA319-131 From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 7885 posts, RR: 57 Reply 20, posted (2 years 3 months 3 weeks 6 days 1 hour ago) and read 12848 times:
Hi Alex,
Amazing report, what a route and airline, never even heard of them!
Quoting Abrelosojos (Thread starter): The origin of the M82 in Alitalia was very evident as it had retained all its original green colors and seats. Even worse were the logos throughout the cabin. Finally, at several points, there in-flight announcements made in Italian welcoming us to Alitalia !
- Whilst I get the interior still being in AZ colours etc, the in-flight announcement thing must have been quite a shock.
Quoting Abrelosojos (Thread starter): a Y passenger came and sat on my seat whilst I was at the bathroom. When I came back and told him it was my seat, he shrugged and sat on the seat next to me. He was blasé about it … so were the crew!
- Wow, complete lack of well, just nobody worrys about stuff, just laid back?!
Quoting Abrelosojos (Thread starter): Since the Kenyan authorities do not trust the Somalis (rightfully so as BBO had no security checks for passengers), the flight cannot land directly in NBO. It flies to an obscure border town of Wajir where we all disembarked (like a hijack movie), cleared immigration, and had out bags laid out in tarmac to be screened and checked. All very surreal. Post Wajir, we were finally given the green light to land in NBO
- Ha, interesting indeed.
Thanks again, an amazing trip and quite different from your usual types of travel.
Kaitak From Ireland, joined Aug 1999, 11362 posts, RR: 40 Reply 21, posted (2 years 3 months 3 weeks 6 days 1 hour ago) and read 12776 times:
Quoting Abrelosojos (Thread starter): The origin of the M82 in Alitalia was very evident as it had retained all its original green colors and seats. Even worse were the logos throughout the cabin. Finally, at several points, there in-flight announcements made in Italian welcoming us to Alitalia !
Lucky for you they didn't take the Alitalia association a step further and go on strike!
Thanks for a terrific trip report - it's wonderful to see reports like this from airlines that most of us would never get to fly on in a million years! It's not a trip I'd particularly like to take, but thanks very much for sharing it!
If my memory is correct, this picture is taken from gate 1 or 2 at the far end of the regional departure terminal, this stairway leads to Duty free gallery and others gates.
that's simply a true "other" experience and as usual it's always a real pleasure to read any of your report.
One people one destiny...Jumuiya ya Afrika mashariki
Quoting Abrelosojos (Thread starter): This is a trip report called the “Other.” It features the “other” major Kenyan airline; the “other” Kenya (never knew there was a whole “Muslim Kenya”); it features the “other” Dubai terminal; it features passengers who are considered “other”; and finally, it reports on the “other” routing from DXB to NBO.
Well said.
Quoting Abrelosojos (Thread starter): I believe this will be the first report on African Express Airways; and the first featuring airports at Berbera (Somaliland), Mogadishu (Somalia), and Wajir (Kenya).
And probably the last such report for a long time...
Quoting Abrelosojos (Thread starter): (Everyone comes to visit … including the UN. All can pretty much just park their car next to the plane)
Priceless!
Quoting Abrelosojos (Thread starter): African Express Airways is an experience airline fanatics should definitely undertake at some point to enhance their flight repertoire.
No, I'm not sure whether I would want to try that carrier or fly to places like Mogadishu. There are countless other options...
MilesDependent From Australia, joined Sep 2001, 822 posts, RR: 0 Reply 24, posted (2 years 3 months 3 weeks 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 12195 times:
Wow, one of your finest!! Simply awesome.
I would absolutely love to do this flight.
Were there restrictions of taking photos at Mogadishu Airport? Mogadishu and Somalia have often fascinated me. Would love to see any other photos you took of MGQ airport or approach.
Reifel From Germany, joined Feb 2005, 819 posts, RR: 1 Reply 26, posted (2 years 3 months 3 weeks 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 12074 times:
Absolutely indredibly report! Well done! That's exactly the way to travel that I like.
It's funny because I just saw a picuture of the crashed aircraft in Berbera a few hours ago in a.net's picture database.
The food made me lough, at least the pastry seemed nice
Again thank you very much. Always a pleasure to read your reports!
Abrelosojos From Venezuela, joined May 2005, 4551 posts, RR: 56 Reply 27, posted (2 years 3 months 3 weeks 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 12090 times:
Quoting BA319-131 (Reply 20):
- Whilst I get the interior still being in AZ colours etc, the in-flight announcement thing must have been quite a shock.
= The pilot joked that "A" stands for Africa .
Quoting BA319-131 (Reply 20):
- Wow, complete lack of well, just nobody worrys about stuff, just laid back?!
= Nope.
Quoting Kaitak (Reply 21):
Lucky for you they didn't take the Alitalia association a step further and go on strike!
= LOL. Yes, in MGQ that would have not been ice.
Quoting Eastafspot (Reply 22): Maybe it was just your choice, as a J pax you' should have boarded among the first?
= I don't think these rules are really enforced on such airlines.
Quoting Eastafspot (Reply 22): If my memory is correct, this picture is taken from gate 1 or 2 at the far end of the regional departure terminal, this stairway leads to Duty free gallery and others gates.
= Affirmative. As mentioned, all pax have to be screened again ... and then since the bags come out in the international terminal, we climb the stairs and go back to international area ... to go through immigration (which we have already done). Best is that no one (not even airport staff) know much of the process!
Quoting PlaneHunter (Reply 23): And probably the last such report for a long time...
= I might go back. I want a Somalia passport.
Quoting MilesDependent (Reply 24): Were there restrictions of taking photos at Mogadishu Airport? Mogadishu and Somalia have often fascinated me. Would love to see any other photos you took of MGQ airport or approach.
= People (including crew) were much more tense during our landing at MGQ.
Quoting Reifel (Reply 26): The food made me lough, at least the pastry seemed nice
= True.
Quoting Flightsimboy (Reply 25): My very same sentiments, both on the report, the airline and if I'd ever want to fly with them
Kiramakora From Argentina, joined Aug 2006, 496 posts, RR: 4 Reply 28, posted (2 years 3 months 3 weeks 4 days 17 hours ago) and read 11678 times:
Alex,
This is such an unique an amazing trip report. I am so glad you find the time from your busy schedule to share these with us. This is a GEM. And, I know some great ones are coming soon. Thanks for them. You are a true aviation lover!
Soxfan From United States of America, joined Mar 2008, 841 posts, RR: 0 Reply 29, posted (2 years 3 months 3 weeks 4 days 13 hours ago) and read 11588 times:
I always enjoy these trip reports, but this was definitely something special to read about, certainly an out-of-the-ordinary trip. It clearly did seem like everyone was one big family, or at least acted like one--I guess that's a perk for having a small airline.
One question: A few of the photos showed an East African Airlines plane. What kind of plane was that? DC9-30? Wikipedia says that EAA only flies a 737-200, but if I recall correctly all 737 engines are under the wings.
Thanks again for a great report.
Pilot: "Request push, which way should we face?" JFK Ground: "You better face the front, sir, or you'll scare the pax!"
Abrelosojos From Venezuela, joined May 2005, 4551 posts, RR: 56 Reply 30, posted (2 years 3 months 3 weeks 4 days 5 hours ago) and read 11455 times:
Quoting Soxfan (Reply 29): One question: A few of the photos showed an East African Airlines plane. What kind of plane was that? DC9-30? Wikipedia says that EAA only flies a 737-200, but if I recall correctly all 737 engines are under the wings.
= It was a DC-9. Remember, Wikipedia is not as good when it comes to obscur(er) stuff.
Abrelosojos From Venezuela, joined May 2005, 4551 posts, RR: 56 Reply 32, posted (2 years 3 months 3 weeks 4 days 4 hours ago) and read 11427 times:
Quoting UK_Dispatcher (Reply 31): Funny you bringing up the East African Safari Express DC-9 14s. Guess what I'm planning to fly this weekend from JUB to NBO?
= NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is why we need to coordinate. I am supposed to fly from NBO to JUB .
UK_Dispatcher From China, joined Dec 2001, 2505 posts, RR: 38 Reply 33, posted (2 years 3 months 3 weeks 4 days 3 hours ago) and read 11371 times:
I e-mailed you through this site the other day, just like you did, but neither of us got eachothers e-mail. I get an error response when I display the 'Contact' option to e-mail another member. Maybe it is because I'm not a premium member, although it worked in the past. Try e-mailing me again.
Abrelosojos From Venezuela, joined May 2005, 4551 posts, RR: 56 Reply 34, posted (2 years 3 months 3 weeks 4 days ago) and read 11254 times:
Quoting UK_Dispatcher (Reply 33): I e-mailed you through this site the other day, just like you did, but neither of us got eachothers e-mail. I get an error response when I display the 'Contact' option to e-mail another member. Maybe it is because I'm not a premium member, although it worked in the past. Try e-mailing me again.
= I emailed you my email address through the PM option.
Pe@rson From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 18350 posts, RR: 56 Reply 35, posted (2 years 3 months 3 weeks 2 days ago) and read 10882 times:
Fantastic report!
Incidentally, I sent an email today to the travel agency in the UK that African has on their website. I received a response a few hours later – a one-way economy ticket including taxes for the route I asked about - SHJ-NBO with stops in Berbera, Aden (Yemen), Mogadishu and Wajir - is £370.
"Everyone writing for the Telegraph knows that the way to grab eyeballs is with Ryanair and/or sex."
Lukeyboy95 From United Kingdom, joined Apr 2008, 735 posts, RR: 27 Reply 36, posted (2 years 3 months 3 weeks 1 day 20 hours ago) and read 10835 times:
An enjoyable and unique report that highlights very different aviation industry in this area of the world.
Great stuff
Aussie_ From Australia, joined Dec 2000, 1759 posts, RR: 20 Reply 37, posted (2 years 3 months 3 weeks 1 day 18 hours ago) and read 10752 times:
Hi Alex
I always read your trip reports, and this one is the best I think. Congratulations! I also really enjoyed the report on your IR 747SP experience!
Like you and UK Dispatcher, I also have a fetish for unusual aircraft and airlines but being in Australia it is a bit harder to get to some of these areas in the first place!!! But one can only try
Given you travel so extensively for work and leisure, do you keep a logbook of all the flights you have been on? It would make quite some reading! I am excited by getting close to my 1000th sector - I can only imagine how many you would have under your belt!!
I have nothing else to add, except what a great trip report and look forward to more of them!!
BigTom From India, joined Dec 2006, 587 posts, RR: 3 Reply 38, posted (2 years 3 months 3 weeks 1 day 14 hours ago) and read 10648 times:
Yet another fantastic report - this time on a real exotic trip. Great read as usual. Not to nitpick but the terminal you used at Dubai was Terminal 2, which is used for LCCs and aircraft flying to not so high-profile destinations, situated across the tarmac from Terminals 1 and 3. DXB Terminal 1 serves all other foreign airlines operating out of Dubai and the new Terminal 3 is for EK.
Antskip From Australia, joined Jan 2006, 880 posts, RR: 6 Reply 39, posted (2 years 3 months 3 weeks 1 day 12 hours ago) and read 10575 times:
A complete gem of a report, thank you! Surely one of the most intriguing of the past year!
The inclusion of the stopover in Wajir was one of the gems within a gem. Chosen it seems by the Kenyan authorities for security reasons ( a bit like an Australian trip clearing customs in the Cocos islands), it makes a lot of sense - a stopover in a sort of no-mans is-land, an important town within an area ethnically Somali and religiously Muslim that still fits uncomfortably into the Euro-created national entity of Kenya - just as the Luo lands of Western Kenya would have been much more at home if they had been given to what became Uganda. I am not surprised that Nairobi airport security see a "clearance" in Wajir as not without its extra in-securities...
I tell you what, I would never do the trip now (I did do a similar trip a few decades ago), considering the recent history of that part of Somali-Kenya and of Somalia itself. But so thankful you did it, and everyone was safe the whole journey, and you reported your safari on this forum. Thank you!
Abrelosojos From Venezuela, joined May 2005, 4551 posts, RR: 56 Reply 41, posted (2 years 3 months 3 weeks 1 day 2 hours ago) and read 10375 times:
Quoting Pe@rson (Reply 35): Incidentally, I sent an email today to the travel agency in the UK that African has on their website. I received a response a few hours later – a one-way economy ticket including taxes for the route I asked about - SHJ-NBO with stops in Berbera, Aden (Yemen), Mogadishu and Wajir - is £370.
= Sounds about right. I got the same price from SHJ for Y class. I was going to do SHJ onwards, but having been to ADE and with DXB being more convenient, I chose the later.
Quoting Aussie_ (Reply 37): I always read your trip reports, and this one is the best I think. Congratulations! I also really enjoyed the report on your IR 747SP experience!
= Thanks a lot.
Quoting Aussie_ (Reply 37): Like you and UK Dispatcher, I also have a fetish for unusual aircraft and airlines but being in Australia it is a bit harder to get to some of these areas in the first place!!! But one can only try
= I live in Venezuela. So, trust me ... not easy for me as well . UK Dispatcher seems to be the lucky one to cover these random routes.
Quoting Aussie_ (Reply 37): Given you travel so extensively for work and leisure, do you keep a logbook of all the flights you have been on? It would make quite some reading!
= Just an Excel file.
Quoting BigTom (Reply 38): Not to nitpick but the terminal you used at Dubai was Terminal 2, which is used for LCCs and aircraft flying to not so high-profile destinations, situated across the tarmac from Terminals 1 and 3. DXB Terminal 1 serves all other foreign airlines operating out of Dubai and the new Terminal 3 is for EK.
= Yes, I stand corrected.
Quoting Antskip (Reply 39): I tell you what, I would never do the trip now (I did do a similar trip a few decades ago), considering the recent history of that part of Somali-Kenya and of Somalia itself. But so thankful you did it, and everyone was safe the whole journey, and you reported your safari on this forum. Thank you!
= Yup.
Quoting Antskip (Reply 39): The inclusion of the stopover in Wajir was one of the gems within a gem. Chosen it seems by the Kenyan authorities for security reasons ( a bit like an Australian trip clearing customs in the Cocos islands), it makes a lot of sense - a stopover in a sort of no-mans is-land, an important town within an area ethnically Somali and religiously Muslim that still fits uncomfortably into the Euro-created national entity of Kenya - just as the Luo lands of Western Kenya would have been much more at home if they had been given to what became Uganda. I am not surprised that Nairobi airport security see a "clearance" in Wajir as not without its extra in-securities...
= After I came back, I have been reading up on this fascinating region and the crazy arbitrary border demarkations the colonial powers did in Africa. It is interesting isn't it. I really had no idea of the "other Kenya".
Quoting BrusselsSouth (Reply 40): Quoting Abrelosojos (Thread starter):
I was the only white person on-board and definitely got strange looks.
I know you'll think I'm nitpicking, which is not what I want to do, but aren't those two other white people I see on the boarding @ WJR pics ?
= No problem. When I boarded the flight in DXB, I was the only white person ... and that is what I mention on embarking. One white dude (aid worker for something like Emergency Now? Relief Now?) joined us at MGQ. He was South African. The other white guy is Russian and is some kind of aircraft mechanic that went around the aircraft at WJR.
kiramakora From Argentina, joined Aug 2006, 496 posts, RR: 4 Reply 42, posted (3 months 3 weeks 3 days 12 hours ago) and read 2147 times:
I just found this report again, and must admit it is probably my favorite report on A.Net. You do need to create something as exotic as this soon! WOW. Somalia and Somaliland!
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I wouldn't feel completely relaxed on such a flight, but as you say, the experience is nice, especially when you make it to the end without problems and trouble. 
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