Last checked at 14 Oct 2014 16:00
14 October 2014
Westminster Group Plc:
West Africa Ebola Update - Gambia Bird
Westminster Group Plc ('Westminster', the 'Company' or the 'Group'), the AIM listed supplier of system solutions and products to the security, defence, fire protection and safety markets worldwide, wishes to provide its latest update on the recent Ebola outbreak in West Africa.
Further to earlier announcements that Gambia Bird was resuming direct service between London and West Africa from 17 October 2014, we now announce that the airline has been forced to suspend service on this route until further notice.
The airline had received the necessary permits and permissions to operate the route again from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and had fully intended to restart service as of the above date. However, a shift in policy by the UK Government was taken to withdraw these permissions, barely a week before service was to resume. The airline said it would appeal against the decision, especially as its licence was only granted on 26 September.
Gambia Bird's official agent in the UK, McPhillips Travel, said:
"We consider the above decision disappointing. Our view was that the need for a direct commercial service was clear from several standpoints. It would provide far easier, cost-effective access for humanitarian assistance to Sierra Leone in the form of Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) volunteers, medical professionals and supplies to combat the Ebola epidemic that the country is currently suffering. It would allow UK based businesses and workers who are still trying to access the country and contribute to boosting its badly damaged economy a reliable means of doing so.
"Gambia Bird had put in place extremely stringent health and safety procedures to protect both passengers and crew, combined with thorough checks of passengers at Lungi International Airport prior to exiting Sierra Leone. Public Health England was consulted throughout the planning process and was satisfied that measures being taken were adequately robust."
For further information please see the Company's web site, www.wg-plc.com, or contact:
Westminster Group plc | Tel: 01295 756 300 |
Peter Fowler (Chief Executive) | |
Ian Selby (Chief Financial Officer) | |
S. P. Angel Corporate Finance LLP (NOMAD and Broker) | Tel: 020 3463 2260 |
Stuart Gledhill/Katy Birkin | |
Winningtons Financial (Financial PR) | Tel: 020 3176 4722 |
Tom Cooper/Paul Vann | 0797 122 1972 |
Notes:
Westminster Group plc is a leader in the supply of system solutions and products to the security, defence, fire protection and safety markets worldwide.
Westminster's principal activity is the design, supply and ongoing support of advanced technology security solutions, risk assessments and close protection services. These can range from product only assignments, such as the supply of specialised scanners, to the design and implementation of an integrated system solution such as a border detection and surveillance system. The majority of its customer base, by value, comprises governments and government agencies, non-governmental organisations and blue chip commercial organisations. For further information please visit www.wsg-corporate.com.