Tag: Dana Air

  • NCAA Suspends Dana Air Operations Indefinitely

    NCAA Suspends Dana Air Operations Indefinitely

    The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended Dana Airlines’ Air Transport Licence (ATL) and Air Operator Certificate (AOC), indefinitely.

    NCAA Director-General, Captain Musa Nuhu, announced this in a statement on Wednesday.

    He stated that the suspension of the operations of the airlines would take effect from midnight of July 20.

    “The suspension was made pursuant to Section 35(2), 3(b) and (4) of the Civil Aviation Act, 2006 and Part 1.3.3.3(a)(1) of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs), 2015,” Nuhu said.

    According to him, the suspension order has since been communicated to the management of Dana Airlines.

    The NCAA chief explained that the decision was the outcome of a financial and economic health audit carried out on the airline by the Authority, and the findings of an investigation conducted on the airline’s flight operations recently, which revealed that Dana Airlines was no longer in a position to meet its financial obligations and to conduct safe flight operations.

    “The NCAA acknowledges the negative effect this pre-emptive decision will have on the airline’s passengers and the travelling public and seeks their understanding, as the safety of flight operations takes priority over all other considerations,” the statement added.

    The suspension of Dana Air operations adds to the woes and challenges bedevilling the aviation industry.

    On Monday, Aero Contractors announced the temporary suspension of its “scheduled passenger services operations”.

    The conditions of Aero’s decision, however, had nothing to do with regulatory action by the NCAA.

    Aero contractors explained in a statement that its decision was “due to the impact of the challenging operating environment” on the airline’s daily operations. The suspension took effect on Wednesday.

    “This does not in any way affect the Maintenance activities of the Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO) otherwise known as AeroMRO, the Approved Training Organisation (ATO) also known as Aero Training School, the Helicopter and Charter Services operations,” the airline said.

    The airline acknowledged the inconvenience the move might cause.

    “We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused to our esteemed customers and promise to return to service as soon as possible,” it said.

    Airlines in the country have battled challenges in recent times, mainly as a result of the upsurge in the price of aviation fuel and other issues. The challenges which had led airlines to threaten to shut down operations and interventions by the government have remained in place leading to the latest announcement by Aero.

    The management reflected this in its statement, stressing that the suspension of passenger operations was a tough decision.

    It said, “This decision was carefully considered and taken due to the fact that most of our aircraft are currently undergoing Maintenance, resulting in our inability to offer a seamless and efficient service to our esteemed customers.

    “We are working to bring these aircraft back to service in the next few weeks, so we can continue to offer our passengers the safe, efficient, and reliable services that Aero Contractors is known for, which is the hallmark of Aero Contractors Company of Nig. Ltd.”

  • Aviation Shutdown: More Airlines Pull Out Of Strike As FG Intensifies Lobbying

    Aviation Shutdown: More Airlines Pull Out Of Strike As FG Intensifies Lobbying

    Barring last-minute changes, at least four airlines will not partake in the shutdown directed by the Airline Operators Association of Nigeria (AON).

    The airlines include: Ibom Air, Aero Contractors, Dana Air, and Green Africa.

    The Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika disclosed this on Sunday in a statement signed by Dr. James Odaudu, his media aide.

    The statement said, “It is gratifying that members of the Association have started reviewing the decision to withdraw flight services from tomorrow, with Ibom Air, Green Africa Airlines, Arik, Dana and some others having given indications that they will carry on with their normal flight schedules.

    “We hope and believe that a few hesitant members will consider the dire implications of the planned action for businesses and individuals and review their decision likewise.”

    The minister also “assured foreign airlines operating in the country that all the requisite logistics and services for their operations remain in place as usual and that no disruptions whatsoever should be envisaged.”

    He called on the members of AON to commit to undisrupted flight services nationwide while the Ministry of Aviation, in concert with other relevant stakeholders, continue with ongoing efforts at finding a lasting solution to the perplexing issue of aviation fuel availability and affordability, in the overall interest of the industry and the economy at large.

    Sirika, however, noted that “the decision of the Association is purely a business one as they are private businesses reacting to market forces while appealing for government interventions to enable them carry on with their operations.”

    “The Ministry has always made conscious efforts to assist and promote the operational interests of AON, some of which includes facilitating a meeting between the Association and Mr President, during which it got several concessions, including duty-free importation of aircraft, engines, spare parts and components.”

    He also said at various times he personally took members of the Association to engage with Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to sort out issues of access to Foreign Exchange (FOREX) for their operations, and also the NNPC to explore ways of ensuring the availability of Aviation fuel (JET A1) through importation or from the major Marketers at affordable prices.

  • 50 Passengers Rescued After Fire Guts Aircraft Tyres At Port Harcourt Airport

    50 Passengers Rescued After Fire Guts Aircraft Tyres At Port Harcourt Airport

    All passengers onboard an aircraft have been rescued after its tyres caught fire after a planned trip out of Rivers State was aborted.

    The incident which involved an aircraft operated by Dana Airlines Limited occurred on Monday in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

    A spokesman for the airline, Kingsley Ezenwa, who confirmed the incident in a statement on Tuesday said no life was lost and no passenger was injured.

    He explained that the aircraft with registration number 5N JOY was set to take off from Port Harcourt to Lagos when the incident occurred.

    Ezenwa stated that the pilot in command had noticed an anomaly before take-off which he queried with the Air Traffic Control (ATC) before embarking on a ramp return.

    He said the impact on the brakes affected the aircraft tyres, causing them to spark off while the aircraft was taxiing to repark.

    According to the airline official, all 50 passengers onboard disembarked safely while the aircraft was immediately grounded by the company’s maintenance team.

    He apologised to the passengers on the flight for the inconveniences caused due to the eventual cancellation of the flight, adding that the incident was being investigated.

  • Covid-19: Dana Air offers FG resources, aircraft to transport relief materials

    Covid-19: Dana Air offers FG resources, aircraft to transport relief materials

    Dana Air has offered its resources, aircraft and crew to assist the Federal Government’s efforts towards curbing the further spread of Covid-19 in the country.

    Mr Kingsley Ezenwa, Media and Communications Manager of Dana airlines made this known in a statement in Lagos on Friday.

    Ezenwa said in a letter to Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, Dana air expressed support to contribute in the transportation of machines, equipments and relief materials to different states, and locations where they are needed within the country.

    According to the letter signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the airline, Jacky Hathiramani, “Dana Air will make available resources, aircraft in its fleet and crew for the national assignment and the airline’s crew will be more than ready and proud to carry out the assignment upon request.

    Hathiramani said, “this is a global issue and this is the time for us all to play our part by supporting the government’s effort in stemming the further spread of this pandemic in our dear nation.

    “I am not too comfortable with the rising number of cases in Nigeria,and this is why we also took the huge decision to suspend our flight operations for 14 days in the interest of our staff, our very esteemed customers and the nation at large.

    “The support we are offering as an airline will only be an addition to the efforts of the government and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control(NCDC) in fighting the pandemic.

    “We commend the efforts of the Ministry of Aviation, the Aviation agencies, Lagos State Government and Federal Government and wish to reassure them of our commitment towards contributing our resources to enhance prompt response to the fight against the spread of this virus,”Hathiramani added .

    Ezenwa said Dana Air was one of Nigeria’s leading airlines with a fleet size of nine aircraft and daily flights from Lagos to Abuja, Port Harcourt, Uyo and Owerri.

    The airline is reputed for its innovative online product, world -class in-flight service and unrivaled on-time performance. (NAN)

  • Covid-19: Dana Air offers FG resources, aircraft to transport relief materials

    Covid-19: Dana Air offers FG resources, aircraft to transport relief materials

    Dana Air has offered its resources, aircraft and crew to assist the Federal Government’s efforts towards curbing the further spread of Covid-19 in the country.

    Mr Kingsley Ezenwa, Media and Communications Manager of Dana airlines made this known in a statement in Lagos on Friday.

    Ezenwa said in a letter to Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, Dana air expressed support to contribute in the transportation of machines, equipments and relief materials to different states, and locations where they are needed within the country.

    According to the letter signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the airline, Jacky Hathiramani, “Dana Air will make available resources, aircraft in its fleet and crew for the national assignment and the airline’s crew will be more than ready and proud to carry out the assignment upon request.

    Hathiramani said, “this is a global issue and this is the time for us all to play our part by supporting the government’s effort in stemming the further spread of this pandemic in our dear nation.

    “I am not too comfortable with the rising number of cases in Nigeria,and this is why we also took the huge decision to suspend our flight operations for 14 days in the interest of our staff, our very esteemed customers and the nation at large.

    “The support we are offering as an airline will only be an addition to the efforts of the government and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control(NCDC) in fighting the pandemic.

    “We commend the efforts of the Ministry of Aviation, the Aviation agencies, Lagos State Government and Federal Government and wish to reassure them of our commitment towards contributing our resources to enhance prompt response to the fight against the spread of this virus,”Hathiramani added .

    Ezenwa said Dana Air was one of Nigeria’s leading airlines with a fleet size of nine aircraft and daily flights from Lagos to Abuja, Port Harcourt, Uyo and Owerri.

    The airline is reputed for its innovative online product, world -class in-flight service and unrivaled on-time performance.