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Why Dana Air remains grounded, by NCAA

By Wole Oyebade
13 August 2022   |   4:04 am
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), yesterday, reaffirmed its commitment to a safe and secure air transport sector despite the operating challenges.

[files] Dana Air.<br />PHOTO: Nigerian Flight Deck

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), yesterday, reaffirmed its commitment to a safe and secure air transport sector despite the operating challenges.

The apex regulatory body said notwithstanding the backlash it received for shutting down one of the domestic carriers, it remains focused on its statutory safety responsibility to the flying public and the industry.

Director-General of the NCAA, Capt. Musa Nuhu, told journalists that investigations were still ongoing into the operations of the suspended Dana Air and the airline would remain grounded until all the identified issues are resolved in compliance with Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs).

Nuhu explained that the NCAA had carried out a Financial and Economic Health Audit in addition to the Technical Safety Audit of the airline.

The outcome of the two audits revealed a weak financial position and grave violations of Nig.CARs, which prompted the immediate suspension of the airline’s Air Transport License (ATL) and Air Operators Certificate (AOC).

He expressed dismay at some negative comments in some social media platforms against the regulatory body, based on an interview he granted on a television network.

He said almost all the comments during the interview were direct quotes from the NCAA’s findings from the two audits.

“The details of these investigations and proactive action showed the professionalism of the apex regulatory agency,” he said.

The DG urged industry experts to seek clarification from the Authority in order to make informed and balanced comments, adding that the NCAA was open to informed criticisms geared towards improving the industry.

The NCAA had in July suspended the operations of Dana Air’s Transport License (ATL) and Air Operator Certificate (AOC) indefinitely because of the outcome of a Financial and Economic Health Audit and a Technical Safety Audit carried out on the airline’s flight operations.

According to NCAA, the airline was no longer in a position to meet its financial obligations and to conduct safe flight operations, adding that its action 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 (Nig.CARs), 2015.

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