NCAA suspends Dana Air’s operations indefinitely

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has announced the indefinite suspension of Dana Airlines’ Air Transport Licence (ATL) and Air Operator Certificate (AOC).

The NCAA disclosed this on Wednesday in a statement on its social media platform, signed by the agency’s Director-General, Musa Nuhu.

This is coming a few days after another domestic airline, Aero Contractors, suspended flight operations due to aviation fuel and foreign exchange challenges, among other economic issues.

The NCAA said it withdrew the Dana Airline’s licences after it was discovered that it could no longer meet its financial obligations and conduct safe flight operations.

According to the NCAA, the suspension takes effect from midnight of Wednesday July 20, 2022.

“The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended Dana Airlines’Air Transport Licence (ATL) and Air Operator Certificate (AOC) indefinitely, with effect from midnight of Wednesday, 20th July, 2022,” NCAA said.

It also stated, “The suspension was made pursuant to Section 35(2), 3(b), and (4) of the Civil Aviation Act, 2006 and Part 1.3.3.3(a)(1) of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (http://Nig.CARs), 2015.

“The decision is the outcome of a financial and economic health audit carried out on the airline by the authority, and the findings of an investigation conducted on the airline’s flight operations recently, which revealed that Dana Airlines is no longer in a position to meet its financial obligations and to conduct safe flight operations.

“The NCAA acknowledges the negative effect this preemptive decision will have on the airline’s passengers and the travelling public and seeks their understanding, as the safety of flight operations takes priority over all other considerations.”