Sosoliso Airlines

Infobox Airline
airline=Sosoliso Airlines

logo_size=200px
fleet_size=4
destinations=5
IATA=SO
ICAO=OSL
callsign=SOSOLISO
parent=
founded=1994
headquarters=Enugu, Nigeria
key_people=Victor Ikwuemesi
hubs=
focus_cities=
frequent_flyer=Smart flyer
lounge=-
alliance=
website= http://www.sosolisoairline.com

Sosoliso Airlines was a scheduled, domestic, passenger airline based in Enugu in eastern Nigeria.

History

It was established in 1994 and started operations in July 2000. The Nigerian government set a deadline of 30 April 2007 for all airlines operating in the country to re-capitalise or be grounded, in an effort to ensure better services and safety. Seven airlines failed to meet the deadline and as a result would not be allowed fly in Nigeria’s airspace with effect from 30 April 2007. These were: ADC Airlines, Fresh Air, Sosoliso Airlines, Albarka Air, Chrome Air Service, Dasab Airlines and Space World Airline. The affected airlines would only fly when they satisfied the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA)’s criteria in terms of re-capitalization and thus be re-registered for operation. [ [http://www.nigeria.gov.ng/NR/exeres/B30C7654-36D9-4C57-837C-1EAB4A103091.htm?id=637 Nigeria Direct] 2 May 2007]

Destinations

Sosoliso Airlines operated flights to Enugu, Port Harcourt, Owerri, Abuja and Lagos. Reservations are possible.

Fleet

As of August 2006 the Sosoliso Airlines fleet included [Flight International, 3-9 October 2006] :

*2 McDonnell Douglas DC-9-30
*1 McDonnell Douglas MD-81
*1 McDonnell Douglas MD-82

According to its website, Sosoliso Airlines operates four aircraft, a McDonnell Douglas MD-81 and three McDonnell Douglas DC-9s.

DC-9 5N-BFD has been identified as the hull loss in the December 10, 2005 crash.

Incidents and accidents

*On 10 December 2005, Sosoliso Airlines Flight 1145 from Abuja to Port Harcourt crashed on landing with 110 people on board. 2 persons survived. Bimbo Odukoya (A popular Christian speaker) and over 50 students of Loyola Jesuit College, an Abuja-based secondary school, were among the dead. It is reported that a witness states that the plane was struck by lightning about 40 or 50 metres from touching down and the fuel in the wing caught fire and it exploded. This has not yet been confirmed by any authorities. [" [http://www.news24.com/News24/Africa/News/0,,2-11-1447_1848938,00.html Plane 'struck by lightning'] ," "News 24"] Following the crash, president Olusegun Obasanjo ordered all Sosoliso planes grounded. [" [http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/africa/12/13/nigeria.crash/index.html President orders planes grounded] ," "CNN"]

External links

* [http://www.sosolisoairline.com Sosoliso Airlines]
* [http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=35420 Profile of the airline]

References