Botë · The Guardian
BAE faces £120m lawsuit over decision to scrap support for aid aircraft
EnComm Aviation says the firm’s action has cut off vital support for crisis-hit countries including South Sudan and the DRC Britain’s biggest weapons manufacturer, BAE Systems, is facing a £120m lawsuit after scrapping support for aircraft used to deliver aid to some of the world’s neediest countries. EnComm Aviation, a Kenya-based aid cargo operator, claims the decision forced the cancellation of humanitarian contracts and reduced supplies to South Sudan, now threatened by famine, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), among others.
EnComm cancelled several large humanitarian contracts after BAE’s decision, including a UN programme to fly aid to 12 destinations across Somalia where 6.5 million people are facing acute food insecurity . EnComm Aviation’s director, Jackton Obuola, said: “BAE’s pursuit of profit has cut off humanitarian aid for those most in need, destroying lives and our business in the process.” Obuola described the arms manufacturer’s decision to surrender the certificate that revoked the airworthiness of the ATP as “virtually unprecedented in aviation history”, and came at a time when humanitarian relief was being slashed globally. A pre-action letter sent for EnComm to BAE Systems had referenced emails and meetings with BAE’s senior leadership that it says had led the cargo operator to believe the arms manufacturer would provide continued support for its ATP for at least five years. “In order to get answers we have been forced to bring this claim and hear BAE’s explanation in court,” Obuola added. In its claim with the UK high court, EnComm Aviation alleges BAE’s decision rendered its aircraft fleet as of no real value beyond scrap and is seeking £120m in losses and damages. A BAE Systems spokesperson said: “We do not comment on ongoing litigation.” Explore more on these topics
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