US embassy cable - 04LAGOS105

UNCLAS LAGOS 000105 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAIR, ECON, CASC, SOCI, NI 
SUBJECT: World Airways and Rite Time Both Plan to Assist 
Passengers 
 
REF: (A) LAGOS 54, (B) LAGOS 31, (C) 03 ABUJA 2216, (D) LAGOS 74 
 
1. Summary:  On Thursday, January 15, 2004, Conoff participated 
in a telephone call initiated by representatives of World 
Airways.  World Airways executives asked if Post could provide an 
approximate number of World Airways passengers still stranded in 
Lagos, adding that the carrier plans to operate a "humanitarian 
flight" from Lagos to New York on Sunday, January 18, 2004. 
Peter Obafemi, CEO of Rite Time Travel is also making independent 
efforts to assist stranded passengers with their return to the 
U.S.  As of 1800 Friday, January 16 Consulate is aware of at 
least 11 Amcits who remain stranded in Lagos.  End Summary. 
 
2.  On January 15, ACS Officer spoke to the following 
representatives of World Airways: Bob Dubois, Director of 
Passenger Sales, Allen Fort, Vice President of Sales, Robert 
Perry, Vice President of Business Development, Ann Aktabowski, 
Vice President of Ground Services and Mark McMillan, corporate in- 
house Counsel.  Mr. Dubois asked ACS Officer to provide them with 
a sense of how many World passengers we believed were still 
stranded in Lagos.  This information would assist World in making 
a decision as to how to proceed in rescuing the stranded 
passengers.  The executives confirmed that they have distanced 
themselves from Obafemi, and will not speak with him because they 
are pursuing legal avenues against him and Rite Time over this 
matter. 
 
3.  We do not have an accurate count of how many passengers 
remain.  ACS Officer advised World Airways that approximately 125 
passengers, including minor children and legal permanent 
residents, have visited the Consulate seeking assistance.  In 
addition, RSO confirmed the presence of approximately 80 World 
Airways passengers still stranded at Murtalla Mohammed 
International Airport on January 15.  We do not know the 
nationalities of this group or how many of them may be the same 
passengers that came to the Consulate.  Some or all of them may 
have departed on the January 15 TransAtlantic flight to JFK via 
Accra.  Finally, we do not know how many others are waiting in 
their villages, have taken alternate flights, or simply have 
given up the trip. 
 
4.  World Airways executives promised to keep the lines of 
communication open with the Consulate and provide specific 
details regarding the humanitarian flight.  Aktabowski assured 
Conoff that, although the situation "is not World Airways' 
fault," the airline would do everything it could to help resolve 
the matter.  Aktabowski stressed that the January 18 flight will 
be a "moral gesture of good will," not an assumption of 
responsibility.  She cautioned, however, that beyond the January 
18 flight, World Airways cannot operate without receiving payment 
for services already rendered.  She added that World Airways is 
not obligated to operate without a contract. 
 
5.  At approximately 1500 on January 15, Peter Obafemi advised 
Conoff that he would provide seats aboard a departing 
TransAtlantic flight at no additional charge for all stranded 
passengers who had visited the Consulate.  At the same time, 
Henry Seymour, a former representative of Rite Time who has 
distanced himself from Obafemi, offered six Amcits and 11 other 
passengers seats on the same flight at a discounted price of 
$700.00.  At 2230, Obafemi confirmed that he was able to board 
150 stranded World Airways passengers on the TransAtlantic flight 
but he could not tell us how many of them were Amcits.  Obafemi 
said he was not sure when he could assist approximately 150 
additional passengers who he says remain stranded in Lagos. 
Furthermore, Obafemi admitted, tickets have been sold through 
March. 
 
6.  Comment:  Based on Obafemi's estimate, ACS Officer will 
provide World Airways' executives with an approximate number of 
150 remaining passengers of unknown nationalities.  While post 
continues to work with Obafemi and World Airways, we will stress 
that our goal is to ensure the safe return of American citizens. 
As of 1600 on January 16, 9 additional AmCit passengers had 
contacted the Consulate seeking assistance in obtaining flights 
to the U.S.  Right now, we are aware of 11 Amcits who are still 
stranded but more could emerge.  End comment.