FG grounds Dana Air flights

By Seun Ibiyemi

Barely two years after Dana Airline’s operations were suspended by the Federal Government over safety issues, the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, on Wednesday directed the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to suspend Dana Air, a day after one of the airline’s planes skidded off the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos runway.

Recall that Dana Air in July of 2022 had its operations suspended by the NCAA over safety issues.

In a letter on Wednesday to the NCAA Director-General titled ‘Immediate Suspension of Dana Air Pending Safety and Financial Health Audit,’ Festus Keyamo said the latest suspension was necessary to ensure safety and regulatory compliance.

“As the supervisor overseeing our nation’s aviation safety and regulatory compliance, it has come to the Honourable Minister’s attention that recent incidents involving Dana Airline have raised serious concerns regarding both the safety and financial viability of their operations,” read part of the letter signed by the Permanent Secretary to the Minister, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole.

“In light of these incidents, with the paramount priority being the safety and well-being of our citizens and travellers, the Honourable Minister has directed that you immediately initiate the suspension of Dana Airline’s fleet until a comprehensive audit can be conducted.

“This audit should encompass all aspects of safety protocols, maintenance procedures, and financial health to ensure full compliance with our aviation regulations.”

Keyamo explained that the recent incident underscored the urgency of the matter, and the need for swift and decisive action to be taken to safeguard the interests of all stakeholders involved.

“I trust in your expertise and diligence in carrying out this audit thoroughly and expeditiously. Please keep me informed of the progress and any significant findings throughout this process,” he added.

Also the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has written to the management of Dana Airlines, informing it of the suspension of the airline’s Air Operator Certificate (AOC), effective April 24.

This is contained in a letter to Dana Airline, signed by the NCAA Acting Director-General, Capt. Chris Najomo on Wednesday in Lagos.

Najomo said that the suspension was in accordance with Sec 31 (7) of the Civil Aviation Act 2022.

He said sequel to the runway excursion involving a Dana aircraft MD-82, with registration number 5N BKI on Tuesday, the Authority had imposed a suspension on Dana Airline’s AOC with effect from April 24 at 23:59.

Najomo, however, said that the authority was awaiting the preliminary report of the investigation launched by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).

“While the NSIB is conducting the safety investigation, the NCAA has initiated an inhouse compliance assessment of this occurrence taking into account previous occurrences involving Dana Air aircraft.

“This is in a bid to establish any trend which must be nipped in the bud in the interest of the safety and well-being of our citizens and travellers.”