Dana Air Furloughs Staff Amid Operational Audit and Grounding in Nigeria

Dana Air has furloughed numerous employees as it undergoes an operational audit by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). The audit follows a suspension of the airline’s operations initiated on April 24 by Nigeria’s aviation minister, Festus Keyamo, after Dana Air’s sole MD-82 aircraft was involved in a runway excursion in Lagos.

In a statement, Dana Air outlined that the ongoing audit is a joint effort with the authorities, aimed at ensuring the airline meets all necessary standards and regulations. The airline has expressed a commitment to cooperating fully with the audit process to facilitate a swift and effective resolution.

Amid these operational challenges, Dana Air’s management is actively engaging with lessors and other stakeholders to formulate a restart plan. The airline is optimistic about overcoming these hurdles with the support of its staff and stakeholders, aiming to emerge stronger from this period of scrutiny.

However, the situation has led to significant staff disruptions. Reports from Nigeria’s The Sun newspaper indicate that Dana Air may have terminated approximately 1,000 employees, including both permanent staff and expatriates, as of May 9. There are concerns regarding the adherence to proper termination procedures and the provision of severance pay. Allegations have also surfaced about the airline’s failure to make pension payments following the tragic crash of Dana Air Flight 0992 in June 2012, which resulted in significant loss of life.

The airline’s history has been fraught with challenges, including a full fleet grounding in March 2023 for maintenance and previous suspensions by the NCAA for failing to meet financial and safety standards.

As the audit continues, Dana Air is focusing on resolving the issues identified by the NCAA and preparing to resume operations as soon as it is feasible, ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements and safety standards. The outcome of these efforts will be crucial for the future of Dana Air, as it seeks to regain the trust of passengers and reestablish its operations in the competitive Nigerian aviation market.