by Rachel Ogbu

Dana Air operating license has been suspended again pending the resolution of certain safety issues, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has said.

The airline had recommenced operations about three months ago following a seven-month suspension when its Boeing Md-83 crashed in Lagos, killing 163 people.

According to the Acting Director-General, NCAA, Joyce Nkemakolam, the suspension is an indefinite one until the safety issues were corrected by the carrier.

The Ministry of Aviation, had asked the airline to stop operation until “some safety issues that cropped up over the weekend were resolved.”

Head Corporate Communications, Dana Air, Tony Usidamen, said in a statement:

“We regret to announce the temporary suspension of our flight operations following a directive from the Ministry of Aviation through the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority on Saturday, March 16, 2013; no specific reason was given for the action.

“A meeting is, however, scheduled between the management of Dana Air, the Ministry of Aviation and the NCAA on Monday, March 18, and we will update you as we get more information. We thank you for your patience and understanding, and we look forward to having the pleasure of welcoming you on board again shortly.”

The Punch reports:

The acting DG said the Minister of Aviation, Ms. Stella Oduah, had invited officials of Dana Air to a meeting in Abuja today (Monday) over the development.

Nkemakolam said that once the safety concerns were addressed by the airline, it would be permitted to resume flight operations.

Asked whether Dana Air Operator’s Certificate had been withdrawn by the regulatory authority as reported by some sections of the media (not The PUNCH) on Sunday, Nkemakolam said, “I don’t know about revocation. Their flights were asked to be suspended until some safety concerns that cropped up over the weekend were addressed.”

Reacting to the development, Dana said the NCAA had asked it to suspend operations without giving any specific reason.

It was learnt that the safety issues happened on one of its flights in Abuja over the weekend. But unconfirmed sources said the battery of one of the airline’s plane was found to have been dead in Abuja.

The Senate Committee on Aviation had a few months ago recommended that the Federal Government should revoke the operating licence of Dana Air, saying it was not issued in line with standard safety procedures.

The committee also recommended the removal of the former DG of NCAA, Dr. Harold Demuren.