NIGERIA: FOLLOWING the successful outcome of the operational audit of Dana Air by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the airline would today recommence full commercial flight operations.
The resumption of Dana Air’s flight operations comes on the heels of the lifting of the suspension order by the regulatory agency, as the airline has demonstrated satisfactory competence in operating the Boeing McDonnell Douglas (MD-83) aircraft fleet.
Meanwhile, the long-standing problem with the cooling system at the international terminal of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, may soon be a thing of the past, as plans are underway to install three new chillers at the airport.
Aviation spokesman, Yakubu Dati, said: “The Federal Government has opted for a complete replacement of the cooling system at the terminal, as a lasting solution to the epileptic system installed over 32 years ago, and which has become obsolete and therefore, difficult to maintain.”
Announcing the resumption of flight operations in Lagos, Chief Operating Officer, Yvan Drewinsky, said the lifting of the suspension order is a testament that the carrier adheres strictly to prescribed safety standards, as dictated by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards.
He also commended the NCAA for transparent and objective conduct of the operational audit of the airline.
According to Drewinsky, “The successful outcome of Dana Air’s operational audit by the NCAA, involving the Flight Safety Group, in conjunction with their foreign partners underscores our commitment to safe operations, in line with standard procedures. We are, therefore, delighted at the prospect of our imminent plans to recommence flight operations to continue to offer unparalleled quality of flight services to our guests.”
While commending Nigerians for their show of support and understanding, especially those whose travel itineraries were disrupted during the operational audit exercise, the airline chief, specifically thanked the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Agency, Captain Fola Akinkuotu, for his unwavering commitment to make the skies safer.
He further assured that at resumption, Dana Air would operate flights on the Lagos – Abuja – Lagos route and will, thereafter, progressively introduce additional routes and frequencies to cater for customers’ demands as more aircraft joins the fleet.
The NCAA, in exercising its statutory safety oversight functions on all the operating airlines, had prescribed a yearly schedule audit programme to ensure safety in the sky and also avoid hitches in flight operations.
Dana Air is the first airline to have successfully undergone the operational audit exercise.
Speaking further on MMA’s news chillers, Aviation spokesman, Yakubu Dati, said: “The procurement and installation of the new chillers, due to be completed within the first quarters of 2014, is expected to substantially improve the cooling system and thereby enhance passenger comfort at the terminal, in line with FAAN’s mission of providing customer-centric services.
“This will also complement other efforts being made by the Federal Government, under the Transformation Agenda in the aviation industry, to modernise facilities at Nigerian airports, in line with international standards and best practices.”
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