Aviation
New Lagos airport terminal to complement old structure – Minister
The Federal Government says it will ensure optimal security and maintenance at the newly built terminal two of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, disclosed this on Monday while inspecting the facility in Lagos, adding that the new structure will complement the old terminal.
Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Rabiu Yadudu, conducted the minister and journalists round the project.
Mohammed said the maintenance of the facility, as well as safety and security would be contracted to competent firms.
“I can assure you that the issue of maintenance, even up to the cleaning of the airport, has been taken up at a very serious level,” he said.
“As a matter of fact, we refused to compromise at the beginning when some people came and said we must give the maintenance to local companies.
“What is important in aviation is safety and security and we will ensure we give the maintenance to competent people, best known in the world.”
Mohammed said the new terminal was not built to replace the terminal one of the airport — but to complement it.
“That is why we were told that you could check in at one terminal and board at the other. So, there is a handshake between the two terminals,” he added.
“The terminal two project started in 2013 and was completed by the present administration in 2022 under a bilateral agreement with the People’s Republic of China.”
The minister also said over 10,000 direct and indirect job opportunities had been created at the new terminal.
He said the structure, replicated in Abuja, Port-Harcourt, Enugu and Kano airports, is a testament to the achievements of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in infrastructure development.
According to him, the Buhari-led administration’s commitment to infrastructure development covering roads, bridges, rail, dams and sea ports; was unprecedented.
“No administration in the history of Nigeria has done this much, especially at a time of scarcity of resources,” he said.
He said the facilities and fittings in the airport offered a new experience, especially in terms of aesthetics, comfort, free trolley services, hotel and premium lounges, friendly customer services and free wireless fidelity (WiFi).
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.
FG suspends Dana Air for comprehensive audit
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