Dana Air Suspension Lifted, Will Resume Flights in Next Few Weeks

The Dana Air MD-83 (before Dana Air took ownership) when Alaska Airlines owned it.

Nigerian airline Dana Air, after being grounded in June by federal authorities after one of its passenger planes crashed killing everyone on board, has been reinstated to fly.

‘Minister of [Nigerian] Aviation Princess Stella Oduah said the lifting of the ban followed the government’s satisfaction with the air-worthiness of the airline after a rigorous technical, operational and financial audit.’

Dana Air was suspended after a flight crashed flying from Lagos to Abuja on June 3rd killing at least 193 people including people on the ground.

‘The lifting of the ban did not come to many observers in the aviation industry as a surprise, as the dwindling fortunes of other carriers on the domestic scene may have created a wide vacuum in the sector.

Since the crash, passengers have had to struggle to get seats on the existing carriers following the closure of other carriers including Chanchangi Airlines limited, which is currently reflecting, Air Nigeria which has suspended operations to reorganise and one of the domestic carriers, which took its aircraft overseas for major repairs, leaving passengers with the choice among Aero airlines, Arik air and IRS airlines.’

There has been a call in the country that Dana Air upgrade its fleet to newer and therefore, more safe, aircraft. Some reports say the airline is looking to purchase or lease newer Boeing 737 jets.

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