Barka (“Blessings”) is established in March 2000 by retired Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, the former military governor of Lagos state, to provide additional transportation choices for citizens in a bankrupt civil aviation environment. A particular impetus for creation has been the recent failure of the nation’s existing airlines to provide adequate lift during the recent Hadj.
With financial support from foreign partners, Chairman Marwa is able to acquire 3 British Aerospace BAC 1-11-500s, recruit staff and pilots, a $1.5-million stock of spare parts, and $400,000-worth of groundhandling equipment.
Offering special Easter fares, daily revenue flights commence in April over routes from Lagos to Kano, Maiduguri, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. In June, Marwa enters into discussions with Nigeria Airways, Ltd. concerning the possibility of joint service to New York once the U. S. FAA gives clearance.
The company’s fourth BAC 1-111-500, purchased in Romania, arrives on August 8 and is assigned to the route between Legos and Abuja.
Flight 520, a BAC 1-11-500 with 94 passengers, overshoots the runway while landing at Lagos in a rainstorm on August 19 following a service from Maiduguri and veers into the airport perimeter road before returning to the tarmac. Following passenger disembarkment, the aircraft is checked, found to be undamaged, and is returned to service.
ALBATROSS AIRLINES (PTY.), LTD.: Australia (1980-1998). Privately held Albatross Airlines is established at Kingscote, on Kangaroo Island, in 1980 to offer third-level passenger and cargo flights to Adelaide. Thrice-daily services commence with a pair of Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftains.
World History
