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/ 21 January 2008

Aviation CEO denies ‘pirate-parts’ claim

South African Civil Aviation Authority CEO Captain Colin Jordaan has denied reports that the airline, Nationwide, had neglected to properly maintain its fleet. In a statement issued on Monday, Jordaan rejected as incorrect media reports where he was quoted as saying: ”Nationwide had neglected maintenance and its records were not kept properly.”

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/ 21 January 2008

Aviation CEO denies ‘pirate-parts’ claim

South African Civil Aviation Authority CEO Captain Colin Jordaan has denied reports that the airline, Nationwide, had neglected to properly maintain its fleet. In a statement issued on Monday, Jordaan rejected as incorrect media reports where he was quoted as saying: ”Nationwide had neglected maintenance and its records were not kept properly.”

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/ 7 January 2008

CAA safety standards get thumbs-up

South Africa’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) safety standards compare favourably with the best in the world, a United States Federation Administration Audit report said on Monday. CAA spokesperson Phindiwe Gwebu said the audit was conducted from July 30 to August 2 2007, and the report was released on Monday.

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/ 5 December 2007

Nationwide hopes to fly again by Friday

Nationwide is hopeful it could have a plane in the air on Friday, the company said on Wednesday. ”That’s what we’re hoping, but it’s not guaranteed,” said Nationwide spokeswoman Charmaine Thome. ”We don’t want to get people’s hopes up.” If possible, a plane would fly to London on Friday, she said.

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/ 4 December 2007

Civil aviation CEO resigns

The embattled South African Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) suffered yet another blow on Tuesday with the resignation of its CEO, Zakes Myeza. Myeza was touted as the saviour of the CAA when he took office in February last year, becoming the first permanent appointee to the post in years — at least since the debacle surrounding Trevor Abrahams.

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/ 4 December 2007

Media snubbed in Nationwide fracas

The South African Civil Aviation Authority and Nationwide Airlines have agreed to a media blackout regarding the grounding of the carrier. They said they would no longer make independent statements to the press, but would speak jointly on the process, it was announced on Tuesday.

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/ 3 December 2007

Suspension of Nationwide airlines upheld

Acting commissioner of civil aviation Gawie Bestbier has upheld the suspension of Nationwide airlines by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). ”He reviewed both parties’ statements and made an independent decision earlier today [Monday],” CAA spokesperson Phindiwe Gwebu said. She said Bestbier gave Nationwide guidelines on how to meet the CAA’s requirements.

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/ 2 December 2007

Nationwide leases plane for London flight

Grounded carrier Nationwide has leased an aircraft from Dutch airline KLM to fly passengers to London on Sunday night, said the South African Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). However, Nationwide would have to prove that this aircraft complied with civil aviation safety requirements before it would be allowed to fly, said a CAA spokesperson.

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/ 12 November 2007

Airlines inspecting their Boeings as ordered

Inspections on Boeing 737-200s as ordered by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) were being carried out on Monday. CAA spokesperson Phindiwe Gwebu said a number of airlines had submitted reports. The inspections were ordered by the authority after a Nationwide carrier lost an engine during take-off and had to make an emergency landing at Cape Town International Airport last week.

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/ 10 November 2007

Nationwide Boeings grounded temporarily

Nationwide airline’s Boeing 737-200s were temporarily grounded on Saturday, pending engine inspections, said the Civil Aviation Authority. This action comes after a Nationwide Boeing 737 carrying 106 passengers had to make an emergency landing in Cape Town on Wednesday after an engine fell off during take-off.