The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has taken decisive action following a recent incident involving Dana Air by suspending the airline’s operations amid escalating safety concerns.

This move comes in the wake of an unsettling event where a Dana Air plane veered off the runway upon landing at Lagos airport.

The incident, which occurred shortly after a flight from Abuja, prompted emergency responders and regulatory agencies to swiftly respond and ensure the safety of all 83 passengers and crew onboard.

While initial reports indicate no injuries, the occurrence raised red flags regarding Dana Air’s operational safety protocols.

In response, NCAA wasted no time in initiating a thorough investigation with the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau leading the probe.

However, pending the investigation’s outcome, the regulatory body opted for a precautionary measure by suspending Dana Air’s Air Operator Certificate (AOC) effective April 24, 2024, at 23:59.

The suspension, outlined in a letter signed by Acting Director Chris Najomo, aligns with Section 31(7) of the Civil Aviation Act 2022.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, expressed dismay over the incident.

In a letter addressed to NCAA, the Ministry directed the immediate suspension of Dana Air’s fleet until a comprehensive audit could be conducted, covering safety protocols, maintenance procedures, and financial health.

The suspension serves as a stern reminder of the aviation industry’s uncompromising commitment to safety and underscores the need for thorough oversight to safeguard passengers and maintain industry standards.

As stakeholders await further developments, the focus remains on ensuring the highest level of safety and regulatory compliance within Nigeria’s aviation sector.

A Delta Air Lines flight from Atlanta to Lagos was diverted to Togo following the midair death of a yet-to-be-identified passenger.

The unfortunate incident occurred approximately three hours before the flight’s scheduled arrival in Lagos, prompting the crew to address a health emergency onboard.

Despite initial intentions to proceed to Lagos, adverse weather conditions, including heavy thunderstorms, forced the pilots to divert the plane to Lome, Togo.

The flight, Delta Air Lines’ A330-200 aircraft, was carrying 215 passengers at the time. Upon landing in Lome, the aircraft underwent refueling procedures and awaited clearance amidst the inclement weather.

Subsequently, after an additional delay in Togo, the flight resumed its journey and safely landed in Lagos, albeit approximately eight and a half hours behind schedule.

Passengers onboard expressed their concerns and frustrations, particularly regarding the handling of the medical emergency and the subsequent diversion.

Social media platforms buzzed with accounts of the ordeal, with one passenger recounting the unfortunate sequence of events, including the midair death and the necessity of an emergency landing due to fuel depletion.

Meanwhile, an airplane operated by Dana Airline veered off the runway at Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

The affected MD-83 aircraft, registration 5N-BKI, carried 83 passengers. Dana Air spokesman Mr. Kingsley Ezenwa confirmed all passengers and crew disembarked safely without injuries.

Ezenwa, in a statement, said: “Dana Air regrets to inform the public of a runway incursion involving one of our aircraft, registration number 5N BKI, which was flying from Abuja to Lagos today, 23/04/24.

“We are relieved to confirm that all 83 passengers and crew onboard the flight disembarked safely without injuries or scare as the crew handled the situation with utmost professionalism.

“We have also updated the Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB, and Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on the incident, and the aircraft involved has been grounded by our maintenance team for further investigation.

“We wish to thank the airport authorities, our crew for their very swift response in ensuring the safe disembarkation of all passengers following the incident, and our sincere apologies and appreciation to the passengers on the affected flight for their patience and understanding.”

Passengers aboard an Air Peace flight from Abuja to Owerri found themselves in a state of disarray and frustration after a series of delays and unmet promises left them stranded without accommodations.

What was supposed to be a routine flight scheduled to depart Abuja at 4:30 PM and arrive in Owerri at 5:30 PM turned into a nightmare as the flight was delayed until 6:18 PM due to a reported lack of a pilot.

However, midway through the journey, passengers were informed that the flight couldn’t proceed to Owerri because the airport there would close by 6:40 PM.

The flight was forced to return to Abuja, where passengers endured further uncertainty as they waited for over 20 minutes to receive any communication from the airline. Eventually, they were informed of plans to provide a bus to transport them to a hotel for accommodation.

However, this promise was not fulfilled, leaving passengers stranded and scattered around the airport.

One passenger, who had already experienced delays with another airline earlier in the day, expressed frustration at the lack of accountability and protection for travelers.

Passengers for lagos to Portharcourt on Airpeace 2pm flight are still stranded in lagos as i am typing this reply at almost 10:30pm

This is bad.
The flight was delayed from 2pm to 7pm
We left and came back 7pm and till now we are still here stranded

— TUNDE* (@tundeideal) April 17, 2024

The incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by passengers in Nigeria’s domestic aviation sector and raises questions about the adequacy of regulations to safeguard passengers’ rights.

Attempts to reach Air Peace for comment on the situation were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.