The Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, has ordered the immediate suspension of Dana Air’s operations pending a comprehensive safety and financial audit. This decision comes after a recent incident involving Dana Air’s aircraft.
In a letter titled ‘Immediate Suspension Of Dana Air Pending Safety And Financial Health Audit,’ Keyamo stressed the need to ensure safety and regulatory compliance in the aviation sector. The minister raised concerns regarding the recent incidents involving Dana Air, saying the safety and well-being of citizens and travelers is of priority. Keyamo directed that swift and decisive action be taken to safeguard the interests of all stakeholders involved.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is to carry out a thorough audit while keeping him informed of progress and findings.
On Tuesday, a runway at Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, was temporarily closed by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) following an incident involving a Dana Air aircraft. Dana Air’s aircraft, carrying 83 passengers from Abuja to Lagos, had suffered a runway excursion, but all passengers disembarked safely with no injuries reported. The aircraft has been grounded pending further investigation by the maintenance team.
However, following a comprehensive clearing operation and inspections, the runway was later deemed safe for operations, in a notice issued by the FAAN. In the notice, the FAAN expressed gratitude to stakeholders for their patience and cooperation during the temporary closure and reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring a safe and efficient air transport system.
