by Adeniyi Abdul

The aviation industry has, in the past week, been subjected to a larger than usual amount of scrutiny, owing in no small part to the Dana Air crash which claimed the lives of 153 passengers and crew on June 3.

Revelations in the aftermath of this showed that the plane involved was over 22 years old and had a history of multiple faults. Despite the fact that Dana Air defended it’s safety record, concerns had already been raised, and accusations were being made about the ages and safety of other aircraft in the country. One airline, however, is not finding them too funny.

Kabo Air which is known for airlifting Nigerians to Saudi Arabia to participate in Hajj exercises has denied claims that it has aircraft above 30 years of age in its fleet. In a statement released on Sunday, the company refuted claims made in a report by a publication which stated that the airline had been making use of outdated planes.

“The planes described in the reports have been phased out many years ago and are no longer in the fleet of the airline,” the airline said in the statement issued by it’s Public Relations Manager, Alhaji Aminu Hamza in Kano.

“The management of Kabo Air is worried about the publication, entitled: ‘Panic over age of aircraft’, published in one of the daily newspapers on June 8.”

“The management wishes to state that three of the said aircraft, namely, 5N-JJJ, 5N-PDP and 5N-RRR have been phased out several years ago.”

“In view of the mourning mood of the nation as a result of the recent unfortunate air mishap, the company feels that this is not the appropriate time to boost its credentials but assured Nigerians of safe and efficient service all the time.”