Aviation
Passengers stranded at Owerri airport as NLC enforces no-flight order
Passengers stranded at Owerri airport as NLC enforces no-flight order
Many air passengers were stranded at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, on Thursday.
This was due to an industrial action embarked upon by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Imo State.
The strike followed a faceoff between the state government and the workers’ union.
The union had accused the state government of assaulting some of its members during the May Day rally in Owerri
The NLC barred flights from taking off and landing at the airport instructing workers in the aviation sector to down tools.
Hundreds of airline travellers who were unaware of the development were stranded.
At the Sam Mbakwe Airport and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, where the labour union had also declared a “No flight to Owerri action,” flights to and fro Imo State have been seriously disrupted forcing passengers coming to the state to make alternative arrangements.
NLC Secretary General, Emmanuel Ugboaja, had in a letter stated that labour would embark on a comprehensive industrial action against the state government with effect from Wednesday, May 3, 2023.
The communiqué read in part, “It was resolved that we embark on a comprehensive industrial action against the State Government beginning from Wednesday the 3rd day of May 2023. Consequently, as part of our effort to enforce compliance, you are kindly requested to work with the TUC and other affiliates especially those in the Aviation sector to ensure that no flight leaves the Lagos Airport to Owerri, Imo state starting from 12 midnight today.
“The government of Imo State has grossly violated the rules of engagement among the social partners in industrial relations in the country by using thugs to violently disrupt this year’s May Day in Imo State, that properties were vandalised and looted by the invading thugs of the government and that some workers sustained various degrees of injuries as a result of that attack.”
Among the demands, the union said the state government must sign the agreement reached between it and workers in the month of March 2023.
Air Peace reacts
An NLC source said the labour chose to disrupt Air Peace operations so that its strike action in Imo would have national impact as Air Peace operates over 80 flights daily.
Reacting to the development, Air Peace in a statement expressed shock over the disruption of the airline’s services.
It recalled that the NLC and TUC officials stormed the Lagos airport and took over “our counter, disrupting all our operations because of an alleged misunderstanding they had with Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State. They had written us yesterday, saying that no flight should be operated into Owerri today because, as alleged, Governor Uzodimma disrupted their May Day activities few days ago.”
Passengers stranded at Owerri airport as NLC enforces no-flight order
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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