Nigerian government suspends Dana Airline operations
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), has suspended the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) of Dana Airlines with immediate effect explaining that suspension of the licence was based on elevated safety concerns
Penpushing reports that the suspension order was contained in a letter issued and endorsed by the Acting Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA Chris Najomo, in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT)
“As a precautionary step, and in accordance with Sec 31 (7) of the Civil Aviation Act 2022, the Authority has imposed a suspension on your Air Operator Certificate (AOC) with effect from 24″ April, 2024 at 23:59 to allow for a thorough safety and economic audit,” the letter emphasised.
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in reaction to the Tuesday runway incursion of the airline upon landing at the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos from Abuja explaining that in accordance with statutory procedures, the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has commenced its investigation on the incident.
Penpushing further reports that the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on Wednesday, said it 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 in-house 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 travelers’, the authority said.
“Furthermore, the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development in sharing the concerns of the Authority has thrown his weight behind the need for swift measures to be taken to address pertinent safety and economic issues that may underpin some of these occurrences.
‘The safety audit will entail a re-inspection of your organisation, procedures, personnel, and aircraft as specified by Part 1.3.3.3 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations, while the economic audit will critically examine the financial health of your airline to guarantee its capability to sustain safe flight operations” .
Penpushing also reports that earlier after the incident the management of the aircraft (MD82 with registration marks 5SN-BKI) said all the 83 passengers and crew members aboard the aircraft were evacuated safely.
‘We are relieved to confirm that all 83 passengers and crew onboard the flight disembarked safely without injuries or fear as the crew handled the situation with utmost professionalism,” the airline said, adding that the country’s investigation Bureau and NCAA have been properly briefed about the incident.
FOOTNOTE: You want to share story with us? You want to advertise with us? You need publicity for product, or service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348073463653 or email [email protected]
