Management of Dana Airline laments that grounding the airline’s operations by the Federal Government amounts to de-marketing it and agitating the public because when it resumes flights again, customers will be afraid to fly their aircraft, even as aviators fault FGs interference
Dana Air is in a mess at present. Smarting from the serious incident recorded by the airline on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 when one of its aircraft skidded off the runway, the Federal Government, has suspended Dana’s operating license and operations of the airline since Wednesday, April 24, 2024, pending the outcome of investigation.
It was gathered that the directive to suspend Dana’s operating license came from the Ministry of Aviation and not the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and it immediately drew the ire of the aviation stakeholders, who described the development as meddling with core air transport operations.
Since the incident occurred, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) had opened an investigation into the remote cause of the Dana Air plane skidding off the runway in Lagos.
The Lagos-bound aircraft, with 83 passengers and six crew members onboard, had a runway excursion amid a heavy downpour on that Tuesday morning.
However, in a letter on Wednesday, April 24, the ministry and aerospace development directed the NCAA to immediately shut down the operations of the airline.
The memo, signed by the Permanent Secretary, Emmanuel Meribole, noted that as the supervisor overseeing the nation’s aviation safety and regulatory compliance, “it has come to the minister’s attention that recent incidents involving Dana Airlines have raised serious concerns regarding both the safety and financial viability of their operations.”
The letter further read that “In light of these incidents and with the paramount priority being the safety and well-being of our citizens and travellers, the Minister has directed that the NCAA immediately initiate the suspension of Dana Airline’s fleet until a comprehensive audit can be conducted.”
The ministry further directed that the audit should encompass all aspects of safety protocols, maintenance procedures, and financial health to ensure full compliance with our aviation regulations.
But many experts in the aviation sector have since faulted the move by the Federal Government to ground Dana Air, describing it as unprofessional, and interfering with safety, contravening the autonomy of the NCAA as contained in Section 8 (3) of the Civil Aviation Act 2022.
Capt. John Ojikutu, a retired aviation expert said, “Let those who are close to him tell him that he has no such powers and the international aviation community, particularly the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) is watching us and in particular the NCAA”.
Also, some staff of Dana Air have also condemned the action, reiterating that what the Federal Government has done through Federal Aviation Ministry is tantamount to de-marketing the airline and putting fear in the minds of its existing and potential customers.
