The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended Dana Air’s operator certificate following an incident involving a Dana Air jet that landed in Lagos and veered off the runway into a nearby field. The airliner, registered as 5N BKI, carried 83 passengers and crew members, all of whom disembarked safely.
According to the report, emergency responders and regulatory organizations swiftly launched an inquiry into the incident to ascertain its cause. While awaiting the outcome of the investigation by the Nigerian Safety and Procurement Bureau, the NCAA deemed it necessary to conduct an audit of Dana Air‘s operations.
In a letter signed by the Acting Director of the NCAA, Chris Najomo, the authority announced the suspension of Dana Air‘s Air Operator Certificate (AOC) pending the audit. This action, as stated in the letter, is in accordance with Sec. 31(7) of the Civil Aviation Act 2022.
The NCAA further revealed that it initiated an in-house compliance evaluation of the incident, taking into consideration Dana’s past safety record. The suspension, effective from April 24, 2024, at 23:59, aims to facilitate a thorough safety and economic audit of the airline.
Meanwhile, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, expressed disappointment with the incident involving Dana Air. The Ministry issued a letter to the NCAA, directing the immediate suspension of Dana Air’s fleet until a comprehensive audit could be conducted.
The permanent secretary emphasized the paramount importance of safety and regulatory compliance, especially in light of recent incidents involving Dana Airline. The directive underscores the urgency for swift and decisive action to ensure the safety and well-being of citizens and travelers, as well as the interests of all stakeholders involved.
