The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended flight operations of Dana Air.

The suspension is due to the runway excursion involving one of Dana Air’s MD-82 aircraft with registration marks 5N-BKI at Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Tuesday.

Eighty-three passengers and six crew members were on board during the incident.

The Ag. Director General of NCAA, Captain Chris Najomo in a letter to the Accountable Manager, Dana Airlines Limited noted that the suspension was imperative as it would enable safety and economic audit.

According to the authority, the suspension on the airline’s Air Operator Certificate (AOC) takes effect from 24th April 2024 at 23:59.

The letter reads: “Subsequent to the runway excursion involving your MD-82 aircraft with registration marks 5N-BKI at Murtala Muhammed International Airport on 23rd April 2024, the Authority is awaiting the preliminary report of the investigation launched by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).

“While the NSIB is conducting the safety investigation, the NCAA has Initiated an inhouse compliance assessment of this occurrence taking into account previous occurrences involving DANA Air aircraft.

“This is in a bid to establish any trend which must be nipped in the bud in the interest of the safety and well-being of our citizens and travellers”

It continued: “Furthermore, the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development in sharing the concerns of the Authority has thrown his weight behind the need for swift measures to be taken to address pertinent safety and economic issues that may underpin some of these occurrences.

“As a precautionary step, and in accordance with Sec 31 (7) of the Civil Aviation Act 2022, the Authority has imposed a suspension on your Air Operator Certificate (AOC) with effect from 24™ April 2024 at 23:59 to allow for a thorough safety and economic audit.

“The safety audit will entail a re-inspection of your organization, procedures, personnel and aircraft as specified by Part 1.3.3.3 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations, while the economic audit will critically examine the financial health of your airline to guarantee its capability to sustain safe flight operation”.

END.