Aviation
FG warns foreign airlines against selling tickets in dollars
The Federal Government says it will penalise foreign airlines selling tickets to Nigerians in dollars.
Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, disclosed this to State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, insisting that such practice was a violation of Nigerian laws.
The meeting was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa in Abuja.
According to Sirika, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had been instructed to swing into action by protecting the interest of Nigerians against malpractices, warning that no violator, no matter how highly placed, would be spared if caught in violation.
He said the government’s findings revealed that some of the airlines refused naira and charged their ticket fares in dollars in violation of the country’s laws.
The minister added that some foreign airlines blocked local travel agencies from accessing their websites for transactions, choosing to release expensive tickets.
“I want to use this opportunity to say that reports are reaching us that some of the airlines are refusing to sell tickets in naira. That is a violation of our local laws, they will not be allowed. The high and the mighty amongst them will be sanctioned if they’re caught doing that,” Sirika said.
“NCAA had been directed to swing into action and once we find any airline violating this, we will definitely deal with them. Also, they blocked the travel agents from access. They also made only the expensive tickets available and so on and so forth.
“Our regulators are not sleeping, we have a very vibrant Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority. Once they found any airline guilty, that airline will be dealt with because we need to protect our people. It is according to our agreements, to what we have signed and this is according to international convention.
“So going forward, they should desist from doing things that are outside of the law. They should also desist from writing to us and putting things on social media. They should go through diplomatic channels if they want a response from the federal government.”
The minister further disclosed that the foreign airlines made over $1.1 billion from Nigeria in 2016, when Buhari’s administration cleared the $600 million it inherited from the previous government, adding that if it was retained in the country through the Nigerian official airline, it would have created jobs.
He said over $265 million had been released this year out of about $484 million due to them.
Aviation
FG suspends Dana Air for comprehensive audit
FG suspends Dana Air for comprehensive audit
The Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has ordered the suspension of Dana Air flight operations.
This came about 24 hours after the airline’s runway excursion incident at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
The directive was passed on Wednesday to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority to be effected.
A letter signed by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Emmanuel Meribole, addressed to the NCAA said recent incidents involving Dana Air had raised concerns about the safety and financial viability of the airline’s operations.
It said the suspension would not be lifted until comprehensive audits on the Dana Air’s fleet had been conducted.
It stated that the audit would include safety protocols, maintenance procedures and financial health.
It stressed that the move to suspend the airline was aimed at ensuring the safety and well-being of Nigerians.
The statement reads, “As the supervisor overseeing our nation’s aviation safety and regulatory compliance, it has come to the Honourable Minister’s attention that recent incidents involving Dana Airline have raised serious concerns regarding both the safety and financial viability of their operations.
“In light of these incidents and with the paramount priority being the safety and well-being of our citizens and travelers, the Honourable Minister has directed that you immediately initiate the suspension of Dana Airline’s fleet until a comprehensive audit can be conducted. This audit should encompass all aspects of safety protocols, maintenance procedures, and financial health to ensure full compliance with our aviation regulations.
“The recent incidents have underscored the urgency of this matter, and it is imperative that swift and decisive action be taken to safeguard the interests of all stakeholders involved.”
Aviation
Dana Air grounds plane after runway incident, 83 passengers on board
Dana Air grounds plane after runway incident, 83 passengers on board
Dana Air says it has grounded its airplane that skidded off the Lagos airport runway on Tuesday.
The affected aircraft, a McDonald Douglas (MD-83) with registration 5N-BKI, had 83 passengers on board, it added.
Spokesman for the airline, Mr Kingsley Ezenwa, however, said all the 83 passengers and crew onboard the flight disembarked safely without injuries.
He said in a statement that the airline decided to ground the plane to allow for proper investigation into what caused the accident.
The statement read in part, “Dana Air regrets to inform the public of a runway incursion involving one of our aircraft, registration number 5N BKI, which was flying from Abuja to Lagos today, 23/04/24.
“We are relieved to confirm that all 83 passengers and crew onboard the flight disembarked safely without injuries or scare as the crew handled the situation with utmost professionalism.
“We have also updated the Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB, and Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on the incident, and the aircraft involved has been grounded by our maintenance team for further investigation.
“We wish to thank the airport authorities, our crew for their very swift response in ensuring the safe disembarkation of all passengers following the incident, and our sincere apologies and appreciation to the passengers on the affected flight for their patience and understanding.”
Aviation
Just in: Panic as Dana Air plane skids off Lagos airport runway
Just in: Panic as Dana Air plane skids off Lagos airport runway
Tragedy was averted on Tuesday as a Dana Air plane skidded off the Lagos airport runway.
Although it was not immediately clear why the pilot lost control, causing the plane skid off the runway, Newstrends learnt that the incident led to the diversion of other flights to the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.
In a post by X user, BelemaMhart — who boarded another airline — it was stated that there were no casualties.
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