Class Action Law Suit Filed Against World Airways Alleging Fraud and Violation of United States Law in Operation of Flights to Nigeria

New York, NY January 29, 2004 -- On January 26, 2004, passengers on flights operated by World Airways Inc. (Nasdaq:WLDA) through their lawyers, Echeruo, Counsel, Attorneys at Law, LLP and Madu, Edozie & Madu P.C., filed a Class Action lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. The action was assigned to Judge Raymond J. Dearie. The action has been brought as a class action on behalf of a class (the "Class") of all persons who purchased tickets for travel from the United States to Nigeria between November 4, 2003 and January 31, 2004 and were not transported to their destinations on schedule by World Airways.

The action arose from World Airways decision to completely cease flight operations to Nigeria, abandoning passengers with round trip tickets and leaving the majority of them stranded in Lagos, Nigeria for over three (3) weeks. World Airways was operating the flights in conjunction with Ritetime Aviation and Travel Services, Inc ("Ritetime") and blames its disruption of service on a contractual dispute with Ritetime. According to name plaintiff Dr. Obiora Anyoku, a New York based physician, "World Airways conduct was outrageous. How can any decent company leave over 1,000 people stranded in a foreign country and simply ignore its responsibility. We have jobs and families to go back to, and children returning to school." Another name plaintiff McLord Obioha, a New York based journalist, said: "We suffered a great deal at the Lagos airport. World Airways did not even provide us with food, water or accommodation. It was hell. I can guarantee that this form of maltreatment would not have been accorded passengers of non-African descent."

World Airways, a Nasdaq traded company (WLDA), provides long-range passenger and cargo air transportation. World Airways reported revenue for the nine months ended September 2003 of $352.6 million.

The Class Action Complaint alleges that World Airways violated U. S. Federal laws and regulations governing air transportation. These laws and regulations clearly and specifically address the issues of travel originating in the United States and mandate that airlines honor all international round trip tickets for such flights. These laws were instituted to prevent airlines and travel agencies alike, from taking advantage of passengers and to protect against scenarios such as the current predicament of the plaintiffs in this Class Action. "World Airways appears to have engaged in a repeated pattern of violating Federal law. They cannot escape their responsibility to their passengers and their own wrongful conduct by pointing to Ritetime. This was a lucrative route for World Airways, the second largest source of revenue for them, their passengers deserved better." said Ike O. Echeruo, Esq., an attorney representing the plaintiffs.

The Complaint also alleges that World Airways and its co-defendants committed fraud and were engaged in a corrupt enterprise in violation of the Federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Statute (RICO). " The plaintiffs have sustained significant damages and World Airways will be held accountable", said John Edozie, Esq., an attorney representing the plaintiffs.    

Plaintiff seeks to recover damages on behalf of all Class members for damages arising from the Defendant's actions.

If you wish to discuss this action or if you have any questions concerning this Press Release you may contact:

Ike O. Echeruo, Esq.        
ECHERUO, COUNSEL, ATTORNEYS AT LAW, LLP   
230 Park Avenue, Suite 864
New York, NY 10169   
Telephone: (212) 295-2189
Facsimile: (212) 295-2121

John Edozie, Esq.
MADU, EDOZIE,MADU P.C.
304 Park Avenue South, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10010
Telephone: (212) 590 2414
Facsimile: 212 590 2413





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