On Wednesday, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), announced the suspension of Dana Airlines’ Air Transport Licence (ATL) and Air Operator Certificate (AOC) indefinitely.
The suspension order was passed by the Director General, Captain Musa Nuhu.
According to the authority, the suspension 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.
Nuhu notes that, “The decision is the outcome of a financial and economic health audit carried out on the Airline by the Authority, and the findings of an investigation conducted on the Airline’s flight operations recently, which revealed that Dana Airlines is no longer in a position to meet its financial obligations and to conduct safe flight operations.
“The NCAA acknowledges the negative effect this preemptive decision will have on the Airline’s passengers and the travelling public and seeks their understanding, as the safety of flight operations takes priority over all other considerations.”
Dana Airlines affirmed the new development in a statement, and also informed passengers that all flights were cancelled.
The order comes barely 24 hours after an aircraft, Boeing 737, belonging to Dana Airlines made an emergency landing in Abuja after developing suspected engine problem midair.
This is the second airline to suspend flight operations as it would be recalled that Aero contractors also suspended its passenger flight operations indefinitely.