Camair-Co airline in big mess, calls on the Minister of Finance for help

In a letter, stamped “Very Urgent” to the Minister of Finance, the Director General of Camair-Co updates on the very alarming situation of the Cameroon Airlines.

Is Camair-Co to close its doors soon? We could soon say yes if the expected financial infusion from the government is not effective.

In a letter, stamped “Very Urgent” addressed on Monday, June 13, 2016 to the Minister of Finance, the Director General of Camair-co has reported on the very alarming situation of the Cameroon Airlines. A debt of more than five billion CFA francs to pay as soon as possible if not, aircraft operated by Camair-co will no longer take off.

Yet “The Dja” nickname of the Boeing 767-300, the flagship of the fleet of Camair-co on repair since November 2015 in Ethiopia has since last week, again became available and ready for use. Its first flight since its release from Ethiopian Airlines workshops had also been scheduled for this Sunday, June 19, 2016. Except that this one long-haul aircraft of Camair-co is still grounded for unpaid invoice. In order to resume the air, Nana Sandjon Jean Paul, the CEO of the national airline has requested assistance from the Minister of Finance.

“I have the honor to inform you that the work of the “Check – C” technical visit of the Boeing 767-300 ER, the Dja in Ethiopia are now complete and the return of the aircraft in Cameroon is scheduled for Saturday 18 June 2016 and commercial operation in remission from Sunday, June 19, 2016. As mentioned in a previous correspondence, the claims of the Ethiopian Airlines (1 billion FCFA), Honeywell (900 million CFCA) , Willis Lease and AJW (475 million FCFA), totaling 2.375 billion FCFA must first be paid before restarting the Dja service. Indeed, the Ethiopian Airlines (maintenance of the Dja), Honeywell (air navigation data) and Willis Lease/AJW-Aviation (rental of two engines) are not willing to grant any delay of payment. The Dja will therefore not return to Cameroon while the work is now complete, or brought back into operation if the aforementioned amount is not paid in full, “explained the boss of Camair-Co to the financier of the Cameroonian government.

In the same correspondence, Nana Sandjo also reveals the threat received from the lessor of two Boeings currently operated by his company. “Furthermore, A.C.G, the lessor of Boeing 737-700 just sent us a formal clearance on non-payment of due invoice, for 1, 480 billion FCFA. There is an imminent risk of a seizure of our Boeings 737-700 if the claims of the lessor are also not paid immediately. ”

Apart from Ethiopian Airlines and A.C.G, other providers are also looking forward, like Camair-Co workers who will soon be in two months without wages.

“In the above-mentioned difficulties are the DEPOSIT to pay for IATA membership in Clearing House (CFAF 250 million), the Tradex provision (500 million CFA), Aurona Aviation for the Jet-A1 to CDG (200 million FCFA), AJW-Aviation for the equipment carrier (400 million FCFA) Alyzia for Ground Handling at CDG (350 million FCFA), staff salaries for the month of May 2016 (500 million CFA) and the various claims of other blockers partners of Camair-co. The total amount of the above stated needs amounted to 5 billion 445 million FCFA “concluded Nana Sandjo.