RAY SMUTS
THE CARIBBEAN posters are down and the 'To Let' signs up as APA International Air enjoys the dubious distinction of closing before it ever opened in Cape Town.
All that remains, signifying the Dominican Republic carrier's intention of opening offices before inaugurating a direct weekly service to the Mother City next month, are strips of two-tone green and yellow, the airline's colours, on display windows.
Old Mutual Properties' Steve Dodds, who had been negotiating a lease with the carrier's chief executive Dr Nemen Nader, told FTW yesterday: Nothing is going on. He (Dr Nader) has made no further contact with us, he has wasted my time and it will be difficult for him to obtain premises from this company should he return in future.
Dodds said there might well be reasons for Dr Nader not fulfilling his obligations - the lease had been signed but no deposit paid or bank guarantee furnished - but he could not explain why the negotiations had fallen through.
The smart R8 000 a month offices on the street level of Safmarine House in Riebeeck Street - the building is already home to one travel agent, shipping and airline companies - was originally prepared for a client who failed to take up occupancy.
Then came Dr Nader and the rest is history.
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