BY Onome Amuge.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended Dana Airlines’ Air Transport Licence (ATL) and Air Operator Certificate (AOC) effective from midnight of Wednesday, 20 July, 2022.
The Nigerian airline was slammed with the indefinite suspension a day after one of its planes conveying 100 passengers developed suspected engine problem midair, forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
Musa Nuhu, NCAA director-general, who handed the suspension order stated 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.
Nuhu explained that the NCAA’s decision is the outcome of a financial and economic health audit carried out on the airline by the authority. He noted that the findings of a recent investigation conducted on Dana Airline’s flight operations revealed that the airline is no longer in a position to meet its financial obligations and to conduct safe flight operations.
“The NCAA acknowledges the negative effect the 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,” he added.
Confirming the suspension in a statement, Dana Airlines explained that its operations had been suspended as advised by the NCAA in order to undergo a full operational audit.
The airline also disclosed that the affected aircraft was an Abuja-bound Boeing 737 with registration mark 5N DNA, noting that all the 100 passengers onboard disembarked safely. It added that the aircraft has been grounded for immediate attention by its team of engineers.
Prior to the suspension, it was reported that one of the tyres of an aircraft operated by Dana Airlines caught fire while taxiing to take off at the Port Harcourt Airport.
The incident which occured in May 2022 resulted in the termination of a scheduled trip to Lagos for the day. Though the 50 passengers on board disembarked safely, it is believed that the incident placed Dana Airline on the NCAA’s watchlist of airlines with questionable safe flight operations.
