Dana Air resumes flight operations Nov. 9 on successful NCAA audit

…grants one year validity for unused tickets

Nigerian carrier Dana Air has set the ball in motion for resumption of flight operations on November 9 following a successful conclusion of the audit conducted by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

Dana Air flight operations were suspended in July by the NCAA over safety concerns.

James Odaudu, special assistant to the minster of aviation on public affairs, had said the priority was to ensure the safety and security of air passengers and cargoes.

Dana Air, in a statement made available to Business A.M., said it was pleased to announce that resumption of flights having successfully concluded the NCAA audit.

“The audit for us was a re-engineering and restructuring process and having successfully concluded the audit and an extensive one at that for the second time, and with a new management team fully in charge, we are now well positioned despite the current challenges and hostile economic environment, and concentrating fully on strengthening our operations efficiently for sustainable growth while still offering safe, reliable and exciting flying experience to our loyal guests,” said Ememobong Ettete, accountable manager/chief operating officer of Dana Air.

Ettete stated that as a proudly Nigerian brand with Nigerians at the helm of affairs and with over 14 years of service to the flying public, Dana Air remains eternally grateful to its customers, travel partners, clients and vendors for keeping faith with the airline while the audit lasted, adding that the airline would never take the loyalty and support for granted.

The airline expressed gratitude to the NCAA for the painstaking audit process and the professionalism exhibited by the team of inspectors as well as the management personnel who stayed sometimes beyond their official closing times to see that what needed to be done was done properly and in good time during the course of the audit process.

It said the audit has repositioned Dana Air as a vibrant and resilient brand and has turned out really good for the airline and for the industry at large. It also recommended a similar audit for all domestic airlines for the good of the industry.

“For customers with unused tickets, and as a little token for our short absence from the market, we have extended their validity for one year. A transfer option is also available to them and we shall be offering competitive fares as always, and gifting free tickets onboard our flights for the next 30 days from November 9th,” Dana Air said.

“Our 24/7 customer service team will also be available to assist customers with any request of their choice on unused tickets and redemption,” the airline said.

Also speaking on the resumption, Kingsley Ezenwa, Dana Air’s head of corporate communications, said: “We wish to sincerely and once again tender our unreserved apologies to all our customers, vendors, travel partners, corporate clients for the abrupt suspension of our flights.

“We totally regret the inconveniences caused and we wish to reassure them that Dana Air remains strong and will never take their patronage, relationship and loyalty for granted.”