Nigeria Suspends Dana Air Operations Following Safety Incident and Financial Concerns

Nigeria’s aviation authority has grounded Dana Air after a recent incident involving a runway excursion at Lagos Airport, prompting concerns over the airline’s safety practices and financial stability. The directive, issued by Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, mandates an immediate suspension of the airline’s operations to allow for a comprehensive audit.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) confirmed that the incident occurred on April 23, involving Dana Air’s MD-82 aircraft, registration 5SN-BKI, which veered off the runway during landing. The mishap resulted in the aircraft’s nosewheel retracting, causing the nose to collapse and the aircraft to exit the runway. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among passengers and crew.

Following the incident, the NCAA received instructions on April 24 from the Aviation Ministry to suspend Dana Air’s fleet pending a thorough review of the airline’s safety protocols, maintenance procedures, and financial health. This audit aims to ensure Dana Air’s compliance with national aviation regulations and its ability to maintain safe operations.

The suspension, effective from the evening of April 24, is described by the NCAA as a “precautionary step” to conduct a detailed safety and economic audit of the airline. This will involve reassessments of company procedures, personnel, and aircraft, alongside a financial review to confirm the airline’s operational viability.

The NCAA has also indicated that the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) is investigating the runway excursion, and safety recommendations from this investigation will be implemented alongside the NCAA’s own safety evaluations.

Dana Air, which previously faced a suspension in July 2022 due to similar concerns, had resumed operations in November 2022 after an initial clearance. However, maintenance issues led to another grounding of its fleet in February 2023, which was partially lifted in March when one aircraft was approved for service. The airline’s fleet, as recorded by ch-aviation, includes three MD-83s and two B737-300s, in addition to the MD-82 involved in the recent incident.

This latest development raises significant questions about the ongoing challenges faced by Dana Air in maintaining safety standards and financial health, as the Nigerian aviation sector continues to enforce strict regulatory oversight to ensure passenger safety.