Let's hope Sir Harry Tirvengadum is ready for a challenging 1997. The charismatic chairman of Air Mauritius faces a tough transition when he moves over to head up struggling Air Afrique on 1 January 1997.
The west African carrier continues to suffer government interference and union pressures which ousted president Yves Roland-Billecart last July, when Air Afrique's 11 governing heads of state forced his resignation.
Tirvengadum boasts an impressive track record at Air Mauritius, which has remained profitable and built on the growth in tourism to its island base in the Indian Ocean.
Sassy N'Diaye, Iata's director for Africa, has 'no doubt that Tirvengadum is the right man for the job' but warns 'that the surrounding arena of Air Afrique is very complex - instead of one master, Sir Harry will now be serving 11'.
Potential conflicts lie in Tirvengadum's reluctance to share power with governments used to interfering in the management of Air Afrique. While Tirvengadum has theoretically been given a free hand to manage the airline, 'some habits die hard,' says N'Diaye. But he also has a warning for the 11 owner governments: 'You cannot pussyfoot with Sir Harry'.
As well as the need for a European or US partner, Air Afrique desperately needs a fleet review, says N'Diaye. Tirvengadum, however, needs to tread carefully after fleet changes by Billecart caused a resentment among the employees and unions. 'It was Billecart's decision to replace four DC-10s with five incompatible and expensive A310s that led us into bankruptcy,' claims Pascale Ido of pilots' union Straconaci.
The airline remains in poor financial shape. Ido predicts an operating loss of CFA Fr26 billion (US$50 million) for the carrier in 1996, exceeding Air Afrique's forecast of a loss of CFA Fr16 billion.
On the plus side, Tirvengadum's nationality is certainly in his favour. The unions threatened to strike if Billecart was replaced by another Frenchman, accusing the ex-chairman of bias in his dealings with his former employer, Air France.
Source: Airline Business
