The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended Dana Airlines’ Air Transport Licence (ATL) and Air Operator Certificate (AOC) indefinitely with immediate effect.

This was disclosed via a statement issued by the NCAA Director General, Capt. Musa Nuhu, on Wednesday night.

Nuhu stated that the suspension was made pursuant to Section 35(2), 3(b) and (4) of the Civil Aviation Act, 2006 and Part 1.3.3.3(a)(1) of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs), 2015.

The NCAA DG noted that the suspension order has since been communicated to the management of Dana Airlines.

“The decision is the outcome of a financial and economic health audit carried out on the Airline by the Authority, and the findings of an investigation conducted on the Airline’s flight operations recently, which revealed that Dana Airlines is no longer in a position to meet its financial obligations and to conduct safe flight operations.

READ ALSO: Dana Air makes emergency landing, grounds aircraft

“The NCAA acknowledges the negative effect this preemptive decision will have on the Airline’s passengers and the travelling public and seeks their understanding, as the safety of flight operations takes priority over all other considerations,” Nuhu added.

The latest development comes barely 24 hours after Dana Air Boeing 737 aircraft with registration number (5N DNA) made an emergency landing at Abuja Airport.

The airline, after the incident on Tuesday, said that the aircraft had been grounded for immediate attention by engineers, noting that the incident was due to an indication on one of its engines.

The airline further disclosed that the Pilot-in-command briefed the passengers on the incident and landed the aircraft safely at the Abuja International airport at about 2.52 p.m.

The Star