TheCable

The Aviation Safety Roundtable Initiative (ART) has kicked against the suspension of Dana Air.

Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development, on April 24, directed the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to suspend the operations of Dana Air after one of its aircraft veered off the Lagos airport runway on April 23.

The group, in a statement on Thursday, signed by Olumide Ohunayo, its general secretary, expressed disappointment with Keyamo for instructing the NCAA to halt the airline’s operations.

The ART said the directive is unlawful and has the potential to destroy confidence in the industry among the international community

According to the aviation group, the suspension also challenges the autonomy of the industry regulator and poses a risk to safety and security in the sector.

“The suspension of the entire operations of Dana Airlines, directed by the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, indicates a return to the ugly past that destroys confidence in the industry and by the global community,” the statement reads.

“ART condemns the external interference demonstrated by the minister’s directive which serves to erode the institutional autonomy and jeopardizes safety in the aviation sector.

“ART hereby reiterates its commitment to the non-negotiable autonomy of the NCAA as stated in Section 4 (3) of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Act.”

The ART said the responsibility of conducting financial audits of airlines lies solely with the NCAA, as does the authority to determine appropriate sanctions for any violations.

The group called for an immediate lifting of the suspension on Dana Air’s entire operation, demanding an apology to the aviation community for the actions taken by the minister and the ministry.

They also advised the minister to focus his efforts on policy issues that positively impact the airline industry, while the NCAA and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) continue investigation on the affected MD-82 aircraft.

“ART also demands that other agencies be allowed to carry out their statutory obligations without interference, including the observed interferences at FAAN,” the statement further reads.

“ART also requests that the minister moves promptly to appoint the required boards to enable the smooth and properly guided operations of agencies.”

The group commended the recent suspension of three non-schedule operators for operational infractions by the NCAA.

They urged the authority to publicly disclose the airlines involved in the reported infractions to ensure transparency and highlight actions that other airlines should avoid to avert facing penalties.