Photo: A Dana airplane
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has directed Dana Airlines to begin the auditing of its operations following its suspension from operations.
NCAA had on Wednesday suspended the Airline’s Air Transport License (ATL) and Air Operation Certificate (AOC) of Dana Air.
This was sequel to a near crash incident involving a Dana aircraft earlier this week at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport with about 100 passengers on board.
The aviation regulation agency explained that its decision was informed by Dana’s inability to meet its financial obligations and conduct safe flights.
Speaking on the development, Dana Air Communication Manager, Mr Kingsley Ezenwa, said the airline had been directed by NCAA to audit before it could be allowed to return to flight operations.
In a statement issued in Lagos on Thursday, Ezenwa said that the audit was also an opportunity for the airline to reassure its guests, clients and partners that the airline remained safe and reliable.
According to him, the airline has been fully cooperating with officials of the NCAA to ensure quick return to flight operations.
He said, “We are pleased to announce that we have commenced the operational audit as directed by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
”In this regard, we are fully cooperating with the NCAA to ensure our quick return to flight operations.
“Operational Audits are regulatory and airlines are required to suspend their operations when the regulator calls for it.
“So we are confident that having been successful in previous audits, we will come back even stronger and better.”
Ezenwa further explained that the airline,was not insulated from the multiple challenges airlines and the aviation industry grappled with daily.
He listed such challenges to include the recent skyrocketing cost of aviation fuel at N830/ltr, unavailability of forex, ground handling services, inflation, multiple taxation, amongst other operational challenges.
“This short stay off the market remains painful and heartbreaking for us.
“Our customers, clients and partners, we remain very hopeful and very confident of our position.
“Our offices will remain open to our travel partners, clients and our customer service will still be operational 24/7 as always to assist customers with necessary information,” he said.
The Communication Manager urged customers with unused tickets to apply for refund by sending an email to: [email protected] with their details, saying it would be resolved in a timely manner.
He sincerely apologised on behalf of the airline to all affected customers, clients and travel partners for the inconveniences caused and craved their understanding and patience in the cause of the audit.
Periscope International recalls that 10 years ago, a Dana Air Flight 0992, which was on a scheduled domestic passenger flight from Abuja to Lagos, crashed on 3 June 2012, after suffering a dual-engine failure during its approach to Lagos.
The McDonnell Douglas MD-83 aircraft crashed onto buildings, killing all 153 people on board and six on the ground, a record 159 deaths.
The air crash remains the deadliest commercial airliner crash in Nigerian history since the Kano air disaster of 1973.
