Kenya

The foreign office is now recommending that any non urgent travel to Kenya is avoided beacuse of the current political unrest - Yet another issue for VS.

This is probably the last thing needed to happen on a route which is only 7 months old. I have had a look at 3-4 days loads over the next 3 months and they don't look good. Lots and lots of empty seats in all cabins. J seems to be a particular problem.

If the unrest continues for a while it may leave VS with a tough decision to make given the lack of numbers currently using the new route. The aircraft might be deployed elsewhere for the summer timetable. [:)]

[mcmbenjamin]

Well that is a set back. Also there COULD be big corp/government contracts or cargo that could help pay for this route. Some contracts (passenger or cargo) could include prepayments just for operating the route.

Fares could go down and create a good deal or VS FC could introduce a 300% bonus on the route.

[RichardMannion]

Originally posted by mcmbenjamin
Fares could go down and create a good deal or VS FC could introduce a 300% bonus on the route.

Well yes, I'd do a flight in J for that - just get straight abck ont he return flight. Miles, TPs, meals, haircut, and revivals [:)]

All travel via UK based tour operators has now been cancelled for the next 2 days.

See here.

[Decker]

My latest FC statement has some form of competition to go to Kenya - any takers?

[RichardMannion]

Originally posted by Decker
My latest FC statement has some form of competition to go to Kenya - any takers?

Does it come with a flak jacket?

[Decker]

Roberta?

[RichardMannion]

I suppose it would be killing me softly.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flak_jacket

As someone who has been to Kenya last year and is going back this year and used to live there - my thoughts go out to the people who have been caught up in the violence.
Lets hope this is resolved soon, as the tourist industry is crucial to Kenya, and if people are reluctant to go, then it will have a detremental impact on the coutry's economy,

I was in Nairobi on Saturday night/Sunday morning and there was a very nasty feel to the place. A 30 minute drive from the airport to the hotel (Sarova Stanley) took 10 minutes, all the shops were shuttered up and troops were all along the main roads sat in lorries just waiting for the trouble to start.

Restaurants in many hotels were shut as staff refused to go out on the streets etc to get to work.

The VS crew were moved to a hotel close to the airport instead of their usual one.

Our flight over to NBO (20th) was totally full, however our return on the 30th the whole B cabin was empty and about 4 seats in the main cabin were empty. The rest of the plane was 'chocker' according to the CSS.

300% flying club miles sound good although they are running double miles on the NBO route due to the J2000 config.

I just hope the troubles get sorted out quickly and everything can return to as near normal as Africa will allow.

Mark

[Edit:mitchja - removed VS crew hotel name]

The situation sounds very similar, unfortunately: two rival tribes, one of which is in control of a government, the other one oppressed. I'm not saying it will get to Rwanda levels, but with allegations (rightly so, I should add) of election rigging by the minority party in such a close election, things are bound to get worse before they get better.

I would imagine that for a while - the return flights to LHR will be full in economy as people get the hell out of there! That will then tail off quite quickly and then VS have a decision to make.

Looks like the inevitable is here - Large number of NBO flights cancelled by VS over the next month.

Looks like VS's main benefit from NBO at the minute is keeping a LHR slot warm, revenue must be pretty damn poor. [B)]

Link

Originally posted by tallprawn
Looks like the inevitable is here - Large number of NBO flights cancelled by VS over the next month.

Looks like VS's main benefit from NBO at the minute is keeping a LHR slot warm, revenue must be pretty damn poor. [B)]

Link

I never quite understood why Kenya was added as a destination over other ones, it never seemed like that much of an important worldwide destination, especially when you compare it to some of the other markets VS could have chosen.

[Decker]

Usual PI stance is 'follow the money'. Who stood to gain, were incentives offered etc

Another batch of VS services cancelled for the next month -

Flight VS671 cancelled from London to Nairobi:

* Wednesday 20 February 2008.
* Thursday 28 February 2008.
* Tuesday 4 March
* Thursday 6 March
* Monday 10 March
* Wednesday 12 March
* Monday 17 March
* Monday 24 March
* Wednesday 26 March

Flight VS672 cancelled from Nairobi to London:

* Tuesday 19 February 2008.
* Thursday 21 February 2008.
* Friday 29 February 2008.
* Wednesday 5 March
* Friday 7 March
* Tuesday 11 March
* Thursday 13 March
* Tuesday 18 March
* Tuesday 25 March
* Thursday 27 March


Looks like G-VSUN will be available to annoy passengers on other routes on a few more occasions before it's re-fit.


Link to further info on Va.com.

Originally posted by tallprawn

Looks like G-VSUN will be available to annoy passengers on other routes on a few more occasions before it's re-fit.

OK, thanks - terrible for VS. Guess the route simply isn't working and with low numbers of planes available even the terrible VSUN is better to them than no planes. Awful - I hope sincerely I don'y have this aeroplane to ORD on Saturday, and then three weeks later.

If the situation in Kenya doesnt improve over the next few months and VS continue to cancel services, maybe it wouldnt be a bad idea to look at say Mexico as an alternative route!

Travelled to Cancun last year and wished VS flew direct as the long wait in Miami and the crap service on AA didnt exactly make the greatest start to the trip!