Following a runway incident involving a Dana Air flight from Abuja to Lagos, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended the airline’s Air Operator Certificate (AOC), effectively halting all its scheduled operations.
This suspension came shortly after the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, directed the NCAA to take action. This move sparked mixed reactions from aviation stakeholders and experts. Some experts criticized the Minister’s intervention, considering it interference in the NCAA’s regulatory authority.
According to reports, only the NCAA, as the regulatory authority, can suspend an airline in line with the standard practices of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
In a letter addressed to the NCAA, Keyamo highlighted concerns about Dana Air’s operations’ safety and financial viability, instructing an immediate suspension pending a comprehensive audit. He emphasized the paramount priority of ensuring the safety and well-being of citizens and travellers.
Subsequently, the Acting Director-General of Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Najomo, informed Dana Air of the suspension of its AOC and the forthcoming safety and financial audit. The audit would involve a re-inspection of the airline’s organization, procedures, personnel, and aircraft and a critical examination of its financial health to ensure its capability to sustain safe flight operations.
Aviation analyst Group Capt. John Ojikutu emphasized that the NCAA has autonomy in safety regulations, oversight, and enforcement. He criticized the Minister’s intervention, stating that it infringes on the NCAA’s oversight responsibility.
However, a spokesman for the Minister, Moshood Keyamo, defended the Minister’s directive, stating that it was not interference but rather a precautionary measure to ensure safety. He clarified that the Minister’s directive was advisory and aimed at preventing potential risks.
The decision to ground Dana Air reflects the government’s commitment to prioritizing aviation safety and regulatory compliance, albeit amidst debates over the extent of ministerial intervention in regulatory affairs.
