… as Dana apologises to customers
… promises a quick return to operations
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has said that it suspended Dana Air’s operations on the ground that the airline was no longer in a position to meet its financial obligations and to conduct safe flight operations.
The NCAA yesterday announced that it has suspended Dana Air’s Air Transport Licence (ATL) and Air Operator Certificate (AOC) indefinitely, with effect from midnight of Wednesday, 20th July, 2022.
It explained that 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.
“The suspension order, handed down by the Director General, Captain Musa Nuhu, has since been communicated to the management of Dana Airlines.
“The decision is 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 is no longer in a position to meet its financial obligations and to conduct safe flight operations.
“The NCAA acknowledges the negative effect this preemptive 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 authority stated.
Meanwhile, Dana Air in a response said the audit “is also an opportunity for us to prove once again and reassure our guests, clients and partners that we remain strong, safe, efficient and reliable.
“As an airline, we are not insulated from the multiple challenges airlines and the aviation industry is grappling with daily which includes the recent skyrocketing cost of aviation fuel at N830/ltr, unavailability of forex, ground handling services, inflation, multiple taxation amongst other operational challenges which airlines have made frantic efforts to communicate to the flying public and the government.”
It however, assured that while this short stay off the market remains painful and heart-breaking for the airline, its customers, clients and partners, “we remain very hopeful and very confident of our position.”
According to Dana, its offices will remain open to its travel partners, clients adding that its customer service will still be operational 24/7 as always to assist customers with necessary information.
While pleading to its customers for the inconveniences caused by the suspension Dana said “the customers with unused tickets have also been advised to apply for refunds by sending an email to contact@flydanaair.com with their details and we will try and resolve in a timely manner.
“Wish to sincerely apologise to all affected customers, clients and travel partners for any inconveniences caused and crave your understanding and patience in the cause of this audit.”