Mombasa Air Safari
Mombasa Air Safari is a Kenya coast scheduled airline known as MAS one of the oldest aviation identities in Kenya. Originally started by Aussie Walker in 1970 as Rapid Air, the company was purchased in 1974 by Captain John Cleave and renamed Mombasa Air Services. Based in Mombasa MAS has, since that date, always served the coast tourism industry. An additional MAS company, Malindi Air Services, was created with the purchase of Sunbird Aviation ( Malindi) in 1977. A further company, Mombasa Air Services (Ukunda) Limited was added the same year with the purchase of Amphibians Ltd, based at Diani Beach at Ukunda airfield. The three companies were known as the M.A.S. group and a fourth organisation, Mombasa Air School, was added to the group as an ab-initio pilot training school in 1978.
To inject capital and provide growth the MAS group of companies was sold in 1982 to CMC Aviation, owned by Cooper Motor Corporation, a publicly traded company, based in Nairobi. The MAS identity was changed to Cooper Skybird. In 1986 there was a further change of ownership to another publicy traded group and the airline was named Prestige Air and all its operations were transfered to Nairobi. The company eventually was wound down and ceased flight operations.
In 1985 the Cleave family brought back the MAS name with a new aviation company under a new AOC that became known as Mombasa Air Safari, a name that correctly describes the companies function. MAS continues to operate from the Kenya coast with hubs at Mombasa ( Moi International Airport) and Diani Beach ( Ukunda Airfeid) with regular departures also from Malindi.
The airline colours are dark blue, light blue and gold and in 2004 the logo was changed to a lions paw, which is featured on all MAS aircraft tail fins. The MAS Air Operator Certificate Number 016 provides for air charter and also scheduled services. In 2008 the Kenya Ministry of Transport granted MAS the privelage of designated carrier to Tanzania.
In 1995 the owners/directors of MAS created a separate maintenance company, Benair Engineering Limited that holds an Authorised Maintenance Certificate (AMO), based at Mombasa's Moi International Airport, to service the MAS fleet and undertake third party maintenance to other airlines such as Bluesky Aviation. Benair is an authorised LET Service Centre.
Fleet
5 aircraft.
1 X DC3TP.
3 X LET 410.
All aircraft are selected for their ability to operate in and out of hot and high airfields and short grass runways as found in many of Kenya's game parks. Aircraft depart every morning from Mombasa, Diani Beach and Malindi to various destinations.
Destinations
Lamu,
Tsavo West...on request.
Company Slogan
The Friendly Coast Airline.
Accidents
In 1998 5Y MAS, a 19 seat LET 410 crashed immediately after take off from Ol Kiombo airstrip in the Masai Mara. No passengers were on board. Both pilots died. The accident report found no technical problem and cited possible pilot error with the flap settings.
Key People
John Cleave. Chairman.
Mohamed Harunany. Managing Director.
Christine Cronchey. Commercial Director.
Kevin Cleave. Technical Director and Chief Pilot.
Omar Welton. Chief Training Captain and Instrument Examiner.
Ali Awadh. Maintenance Manager.
External Links
www.mombasaairsafari.com
www.atta.travel/member_detail.aspx?AT_ID=653 -
www.mombasanorthcoast.com/english/mombasaairsafari.html
www.pilotcareercentre.com › Air Carrier Directory -
References
www.africa-ata.org/ke_airsafaris.htm -
www.dianibeach.com/safaris/airsafaris/index.htm -
www.kenyacoast.net/mr/mas/mas.htm -
Kenya Civil Aviation Authority
Kenya Association of Tour Operators.
Kenya Air Operators Association
www.yellow.co.ke/index.php/search/location/id/2532 -
www.aviation-safety.net › Database › 1999