PARIS OLYMPIC GAMES
All Dana Airline 5 planes are currently grounded due to maintenance, engine-related issues and other scheduled checks, Per Second News gathered Monday. These planes which account for 100 percent of the carriers aircraft are not available to fly, creating serious challenges against he backdrop of an already hostile cost environment and contributing to increased losses.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in July 2022 suspended the air transport license and air operator certificate of Dana Airlines for several operational infractions.
Investigation carried out by Persecondnews.com revealed that Boeing 737-3H4 (WL) with Registration Number 5N-DNB is currently out of the country for scheduled maintenance checks.
Boeing 737-3H4 (WL) with registration number 5N-DNA is presently parked at the 7 Star hanger due to an operational fault.
McDonnell Douglas MD-83 (DC-9-83) with registration number 5N-JOY and another aircraft with registration number 5N-SAI are presently not operational due to checks and other faults.
McDonnell Douglas MD-82 (DC-9-82) with registration number 5N-BKI was last seen by Per Second News aviation reporter at the Air Force hanger for checks and technical issues.
The airline risk being grounded again by the NCAA for operating less than two aircrafts.
The 6th plane of the airline a McDonnell Douglas MD-83 with registration number 5N-DEV has been scrapped with no engines.
Meanwhile, information available to this newspaper indicate that the airline is working to exchange an engine to fit inside the McDonnell Douglas MD-82 (DC-9-82) 5N-BKI.
In a letter addressed to the Accountable Manager, Dana Airlines Limited Dana, Isolo, Lagos, dated July 20, 2022, a copy of which was obtained by Persecondnews, NCAA while suspending its operations last year in Nigeria, reminded it that the Authority recently sanctioned it and its personnel for maintenance violations.
The letter, signed by Captain Musa Nuhu, the NCAA Director General, was copied to the Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika.
The letter also states: “While Dana Air was fined a total sum of N30,000,000.00 (Thirty Million Naira), which it had not been able to settle till date due financial constraints, the AME Licence of Dana Air’s erstwhile Director of Maintenance was revoked for making false statements and false entries in the technical logbooks of the aircraft, 5N-SAI and 5N-JOY.
“The AME Licence of Dana Air’s Quality Inspector was suspended for sixty (60) days and the AMEL Validation of one of Dana Air’s expatriate Maintenance Engineer was also suspended for sixty (60) days, for maintenance violations.
“The Authority is convinced that Dana Air and its personnel deliberately violate the provisions of the Nig.CARs relating to safety and therefore the Airline is no longer in a position to conduct safe operations.
“The cumulative and apparent deliberate violations of the Nig.CARS, as indicated above, by DANA Air employees, especially several key post holders is indicative of a toxic corporate safety culture within the organization. This, in conjunction with report of the Financial and Economic Health Audit, is a good indication that safety and security of Dana’s flight operations are under serious threat and can no longer be guaranteed.
“Consequently, the Authority, pursuant to Section 35 (2), (3) (b) and (4) of the Civil Aviation Act, 2006, hereby suspends indefinitely, effective midnight on Wednesday 20th July 2022, the Air Transport Licence (ATL) and Air Operator Certificate (AOC) issued to Dana Airlines Limited.’’
It added:“Please recall that, in line with the provisions of Section 30 (4) (b) and (r) and Part 18.10.1 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs), the Authority, in the month of June, 2022, carried out a Financial and Economic Health Audit of Dana Airlines Limited (Dana Air) for the years ended 31st December 2018 to 31st December 2021 and for the period 1st January 2022 to 31st May 2022.
“The audit found that: Dana Air will not be able to meet current obligations as they fall due without resorting to more borrowings/debts, as the current liabilities far exceed the current assets. This is a red flag on the Airline’s ability to finance current obligations.
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