By Joke Kujenya
FOLLOWING a recent incident at Lagos airport involving a Dana Air plane, Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo has taken decisive action, suspending the airline’s operations in the country pending a thorough safety audit.
The incident on April 23 saw a Dana aircraft skidding off the runway at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, prompting concerns over the airline’s safety protocols.
The directive for suspension comes after previous safety issues, including a near-miss in 2022 when a Lagos-bound aircraft’s tires caught fire, raising questions about the airline’s safety record.
In response to the latest incident, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) temporarily closed runway 18L/36R at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, impacting flight operations.
However, the runway was reopened after thorough clearing operations.
Dana Air, in a statement, assured that all passengers aboard the affected flight were safely evacuated with no injuries reported. The aircraft involved has also been grounded for investigation by the maintenance team.
Minister Keyamo notes that the suspension of Dana Air operations is meant to boost the importance of stringent safety measures in Nigeria’s aviation sector,
As such, an audit has been initiated by his ministry with the aim to ensure fill compliance with regulations and address any safety concerns, emphasizing the priority of passenger safety and regulatory compliance in the country’s aviation sector, the minister remarked.
