By UCHE USIM

At last, embattled domestic operator, Dana Air, will commence its scheduled domestic operations today with a Lagos-Abuja service.

The airline went off the skies on June 3, 2012, when the aviation mmmministry via the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) suspended its Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) following the crash of one of its MD 83 jets in Iju Ishaga area of Lagos that killed 163 people and destroyed property worth billions of naira.

Since then, the airline had battled for its return into operation and on December 5, 2012, the NCAA issued new AOC to the airline after it satisfactorily scaled the safety audit.

But the regulatory agency, NCAA, told the airline management in clear terms that it would not be allowed to fly until it begins to pay the outstanding 70 per cent of the $100,000 to families of victims of the crash as stipulated by law.

Having also showed sufficient evidence of this, the NCAA gave the airline the all clear nod to commence scheduled operations.

Reacting to the resumption of flights, the spokesman of Dana Group, Tony Usidamen, extolled the NCAA for its support, adding that the airline would begin with a Lagos-Abuja-Lagos flight today, after which it would gradually introduce other routes it hitherto flew to.



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Nice move. Let the competition begin as arik have decided to suck people of their hard earned income. We need more of local airlines.

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So today's flight will be free. Wait for me.
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Not too bad just the 3rd

DANA AGAIN?they should have change their name.

They should change their name and rebrand and make sure they get all aspects right and get the best and most experienced pilots, staffs and plane before they do anything.

H

DANA Airlines.... hhmmmm

I reserve my comments

7months after?

Wow, lots of lost revenue and economic activity. For me, the temporary ban on their license was uncalled for, but I must acknowledge NCAA for their firm stand on the insurance payments to victims before license is restored. It showed they acted in the interest of victims and Nigerians as well, for this, I'm so proud of them. Let's hope they have it right now. Several accidents shouldn't occur before they take proactive steps.

I hate to fly. One of the reasons I haven't bothered travelling outside Naija. Please do not call be a bushman, its simply phobia.

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