The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has taken the decisive step of suspending the Air Operators Certificate (AOC) of Dana Air, mere hours after an incident involving one of its planes at the Lagos airport.
The incident occurred when a Dana Air plane, registered as 5N BKI, landed at the Lagos airport runway from Abuja and veered off into a nearby field. Despite carrying 83 passengers, all individuals onboard, including crew members, disembarked without injuries.
Emergency responders and regulatory agencies swiftly initiated an investigation to determine the cause of the incident. While awaiting the outcome of the investigation by the Nigerian Safety and Investigation Bureau, NCAA deemed it necessary to audit the operations of Dana Air.
In a letter addressed to Dana Air and signed by the Acting Director of NCAA, Chris Najomo, the authority cited Section 31 (7) of the Civil Aviation Act 2022 as the basis for the suspension of Dana Air’s AOC. The suspension, effective from April 24, 2024, at 23:59, aims to facilitate a comprehensive safety and economic audit of the airline.
The letter outlined the scope of the audit, which includes a re-inspection of the organization, procedures, personnel, and aircraft, as stipulated by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations. Additionally, the economic audit will assess the financial health of Dana Air to ensure its capability to sustain safe flight operations.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, expressed displeasure with the incident and directed NCAA to suspend Dana Air’s fleet pending a comprehensive audit. In a letter signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole, concerns were raised regarding both the safety and financial viability of Dana operations.
The letter emphasized the urgency of conducting a thorough audit encompassing safety protocols, maintenance procedures, and financial health to ensure compliance with aviation regulations. It underscored the paramount priority of safeguarding the interests of all stakeholders involved.
As the investigation progresses and audits are conducted, the aviation industry and the public await further updates to ensure the safety and integrity of air travel in Nigeria.