DANA Air Cleared To Resume Operations

Following the successful outcome of the operational audit of Dana Air by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the airline is set to recommence full commercial flight operations by Sunday, 26 January 2014.

The resumption of Dana Air’s flight operations comes on the heels of the lifting of the suspension order by the regulatory agency as the airline has demonstrated satisfactory competence in operating the Boeing McDonnell Douglas (MD-83) aircraft fleet.

The carrier it was learnt will take delivery of two brand new Boeing 737-500 aircraft next week to boost its resumed operations .

Dana  Air was suspended  on October 6, 2013  by the Federal Government  to enable the NCAA carry out technical audit of its operations

Announcing the resumption of flight operations in Lagos, the Chief Operating Officer and Accountable Manager, Mr. Yvan Drewinsky, said the lifting of the suspension order is a testament that Dana Air adheres strictly to prescribed safety standards as dictated by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards. He also commended the aviation ministry and the NCAA for the transparent and objective conduct of the operational audit of the airline.

“The successful outcome of Dana Air’s operational audit by the NCAA involving the Flight Safety Group in conjunction with their foreign partners underscores our commitment to safe operations in line with standard procedures.

We are therefore delighted at the prospect of our imminent plans to recommence flight operations to continue to offer unparalleled quality of flight services to our guests”, said Mr. Drewinsky.

Whilst commending Nigerians for their show of support and understanding especially those whose travel itineraries were disrupted during the operational audit exercise, Mr. Drewinsky specifically thanked the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, and the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Agency, Captain Fola Akinkuotu, for their unwavering commitment to make the skies safer.

He assured that at resumption, Dana Air will operate flights on the Lagos – Abuja – Lagos route and will thereafter, progressively introduce additional routes and frequencies to cater for customers demands as more aircraft joins the fleet.

It will be recalled that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority in exercising its statutory safety oversight functions on all the operating airlines, has prescribed a yearly schedule audit programme to ensure safety in the sky and to also avoid hitches in flight operations. Dana Air is the first airline to have successfully undergone the operational audit exercise.