Great job Dana, this is well deserved. More coming soon jare

Dana Air wins Best Customer Friendly Domestic Airline Award.




DANA Air has emerged the Best Customer Friendly Domestic airline 2018 at a summit and award ceremony organized by the Association of Foreign Airlines and Representatives in Nigeria (AFARN) in Lagos recently.

Dana Air also pledged to support one of the recipients of the Integrity award who appealed for support at the event, as part of the airline’s strong commitment towards the well-being of Nigerians and encouraging honesty, and integrity among not just aviation workers but Nigerians in general.

Dana Air’s Media and Communications Manager, while receiving the award on behalf of the airline said, ‘every frequent flyer in Nigeria knows that Dana Air is the best in terms of on-time departures, customer service and in-flight service, but I want to seize this opportunity to correct a wrong perception. Dana Air is owned by a Nigerian, born in Jos and had his primary and secondary education in Ibadan before proceeding to the UK for his higher education.’’

Speaking further to newsmen, Kingsley said, with a customer service department that works 24/7 and multiplicity of booking options available to our guests, capped with a reward program that guarantees both flight-related and non-flight related benefits and rewards, we sure deserve the award.”

”And on behalf of the Management of Dana Air and our ever-committed and professional staff, we wish to thank AFARN for this award. We dedicate the award to our loyal guests who continue to fly the smartest way despite the recent efforts of some enemies of consistency and exceptional service.’’

On the airline’s support to one of the winners of the integrity award, Josephine Agwu, who appealed for support to travel to the east for an important family function, Kingsley said, ‘Dana Air will fly her to and fro her destination. She is a shining light and a perfect example that Nigeria is working. Dana Air is committed to the well-being of Nigerians and we will continue to do our best to encourage integrity and honesty among aviation workers and Nigerians in general.’’

The AFARN summit with the theme: Promoting the Nigerian Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Through Safety Consciousness in the Aviation Industry, provided an enriching platform for industry stakeholders to discuss the impact and role of aviation in the nation’s economy.

Dana Air operates over 27 daily flights from Lagos to Abuja, Port Harcourt, Uyo, and Owerri. The airline is reputed for its unrivaled on-time departures and arrivals, innovative online products and services and world-class in-flight service.

Anthony Omoh

‘De-marketing Nigerian airlines: A disservice to aviation’


THE advent of social media and bulk broadcast messages have brought about a new Information Age and this thriving venture of late has been used to orient, set-agendas and educate the teeming masses in ways unprecedented. However, the downside to this is the negative use of this media to misinform, de-market, wreak havoc and sway the undiscerning. ANTHONY OMOH writes

All economic spheres in the country and indeed the world have had to come out to defend themselves against one allegation or the other cropping up from the social media in recent times and the airline industry of the aviation sub-sector has not been spared.
A fortnight ago, Air Peace woke up to a trending voice recording that was claimed to have come from the leader of Omega Fire Ministries, Apostle Suleman, the message prophesied impending doom on various transport company and urged the public not to fly on Air Peace.

The message was all over WhatsApp and being who we are by seeking to inform others, people who received the message broadcast it to friends and family who further broadcast and soon it was virile that dire consequences awaited anyone who patronised the airline.
In a couple of days, another message started trending, this time it was of Dana air, allegedly made by a pilot warning the public off the airline and alleging that there are technical challenges.

The message was passed around that the airline was not maintaining its aircraft.
The action of these ‘thrill journalists’ have once again jolted a system and has caused a lot of upheaval in a system that is barely walking because of the harsh environment.

Air Peace through its spokesman, Chris Iwarah described the voice message as the work of fraudsters out tide-market its brand. He said that the airline contacted the church who denied the message leading the airline to put up a statement.
Air Peace Boeing 737 5N-BUL sourced from plane spotters.net

Iwarah’s statement read, “Our attention has been drawn to a recorded voice message currently trending on social media warning members of the public not to patronise some land and air transport companies, including Air Peace. While we would have loved to ignore the message so as not to dignify those behind the voice message, we are compelled by the greater need to assure members of the public and our esteemed guests that it is a fake warning put out in the public space by criminal elements and people who do not mean well for Nigeria to spread fear and demarket Air Peace.

“The recorded warning has become a recurring but futile and unproductive strategy by these unpatriotic individuals to dissuade members of the flying public from patronising Air Peace.
Indeed, three years ago, the same faceless individuals recorded a similar message and started contacting us through fronts to make available huge amounts to them to avert the claimed looming danger. Of course, we refused to yield to their threats and the dates they mentioned came without a single incident or accident.”

Also reacting, Dana Air’s Group Head, Media/Communications, Kingsley Ezenwa also alleged that some unscrupulous people were trying hard to destroy the image being built by the airline.
He said, and it stands to reason, that none of the airlines pilots could have said such about the aircraft given the fact the pilot has the right to ground an aircraft if he or she is not comfortable with its level of maintenance.

He said,”Why would any pilot say such about the aircraft he or she will still fly? Last year, someone raised a false alarm and was arrested and released after promising never to engage in such anymore. Now this is the latest of their infantile de-marketing strategy. Unfortunately for them, while they are focusing on their evil acts, we are focusing on delivering quality service hinged on safety and exceptional service and we are happy that our guests are better enlightened now.’’

The airline also went further on social media platforms, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Twitter to post videos where it’s pilots and crew members dispelled the rumour stating that they too were human and wouldn’t know of a grave situation and intentionally enter it.
Ezenwa further advised the public against misusing their social media platforms to spread ‘blatantly malicious and unverifiable information, as the airline is determined again to fish out the perpetrators and prosecute accordingly.

Statements like the ones used to discredit the above airlines are also some reasons why the international community would refuse to do any form of business with Nigerian carriers, some stakeholders also feel that these negative reports are also in part, what keeps aircraft insurance premium for Nigerian carriers very high as against others.

Some deals by domestic airlines are also currently on hold due to the negative impact of the rumours peddled, against this backdrop, stakeholders feel that the regulatory body should speak out to dispel these trending falsehoods and not leave it at the door of the airline as what impacts the airline impacts the industry as a whole especially at this time when the country has had zero accidents in three years going to four.

In the wake of all this hullabaloo, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has started auditing airlines to ensure that there is no element of truth in the allegations.
Last week, Dana Air aircraft underwent gruelling airworthiness inspection from the CAA which gave the airline a clean bill of health to continue to provide flight services and this has quenched the ongoing allegations that passengers should boycott the carrier over unsubstantiated report of unworthiness.

The clean bill according to information gathered was given after the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) carried out a full inspection on all the aircraft flying in the fleet of the airline few days ago.

According to sources, the regulatory body decided to investigate the air worthiness standard of the aircraft operating in the airline to verify the ungoing campaign against the airline that passengers should not patronize it.
The sudden appearance of the inspectors from the NCAA had also caused temporal disruption of the airline’s flights with its passengers getting stranded in some airports.

At the end of the impromptu inspection, the airline was cleared to continue flying rendering the campaigns unfounded.
In a reactionary statement to what the CAA was doing to also dispel rumours that have become injurious to the industry, Sam Adurogboye the General Manager Public Relations said:
“Our position is that all being said are rumours. This does not fall within the realm of regulatory function. However, we have re-certified all aircraft on the fleet of the airlines and we are pleased with the outcome.”

Even passengers who help to spread these de-marketing messages do themselves no good as was seen last week when the NCAA swooped in on Dana Air to carry out on- the-spot inspection of the aircraft with all passengers on board, the passengers who usually have a lot to say were delayed, some for two hours others far longer.
Funny thing is the ripple effect affects the passenger more with the delays and the airline knowing it is heeding regulation can only apologise, and in such situations cannot be held liable.

National Carrier as 2019 strategy?

The desperation and rate at which this government is doing everything to save face before election is alarming. This rush we didn’t see after President Buhari spent 6 months before appointing ministers, calls for worry and concern

We cannot make progress as a nation, if we continue to rely on politicians and governments who make progressive decisions for the benefits they will get in return.

Only recently, and as a result of the wide criticism that greeted the President’s description of the Nigerian youths as lazy, the President hurriedly signed the Not too young to run bill. While many see this as commendable, some still believe that the president should have signed and shown his commitment to the bill by not contesting next year’s election considering his age and achievements which to many, is below par.

The President also took a very commendable but also ‘hasty’ decision, when he announced June 12 as Democracy day and posthumous conferment of national honors on Abiola , the presumed winner of the 1993 election, his running mate Babagana Kingibe and late Chief Gani Fawhemi. This decision has drawn flak from within the President’s party as illegal and unconstitutional as the president did not consult or table the matter at the National Council of state.

The leading opposition party PDP, has also been quick to describe it as a ‘’Greek gift’’ and an attempt to win votes and sympathy of the south west after sidelining Tinubu and ignoring the concerns of the nPDP in his party.

From the forgoing, it is clear that all the decisions highlighted earlier in this article are all attempts by the administration of President Buhari to save face before the election next year. Also believing that Nigerians are suffering from perennial gullibility and forgetfulness, the FG has also given DEC deadline to the aviation agencies to set up a national carrier. Is this government for real? Is this a political statement or fact?

Considering the array of unaddressed issues plaguing the industry from warped bilateral agreements, to multiple taxation, high cost of aviation fuel, obsolete facilities at the airport, and cries from the AON, the umbrella body of airlines, will this national carrier be formed on this very suspicious foundation? This government seems to have just woken from its slumber after 3 years of snail-like movement. Is this another strategy to win votes in 2019? You cant just set up a national carrier so quickly because you want to have something to campaign with in the coming elections!

The AON had earlier in a statement warned against set up a national carrier with tax payers money as this is not the standard in other parts of the world. The AON also succinctly stated that a national carrier at this time will be a ‘’drainpipe’’ to our treasury and that the agenda is not clear. I will agree with the airlines on this one, because government has never been a good business manager. More so, the fact that we are just exiting recession means that our resources are still lean and must be used judiciously to create urgent infrastructures as the national carrier is not our problem at this time.

Inasmuch as the idea isn’t a bad one, I have a problem with the ‘’hastiness’’ in the decision! Have you asked questions why the former Nigerian Airways failed? Have the workers been paid? Have we addressed the multiplicity of issues plaguing the industry? Are we getting a well established airline to manage for us? Is it going to be private sector driven or strictly government? Is the new national carrier going to defray the over 45 billion it owes it former staffs? What is the plan for sustainability? These are too many questions that the Buhari administration needs to address, without this clueless and hasty attempt to set up a carrier on a shaky foundation.

Presently, the airlines that we have are struggling and most have not been able to survive 5 years with the harsh policies. We need to commend airlines like Dana Air, Aero and others that have been there for about 10 years serving the Nigerian flying public, and covering the lacuna created by the government’s inability to create a standard carrier.

These airlines need to be supported and strengthened to compete favorably as they have proven to be very strong and well-managed. The government must also ensure a level playing field for all the carriers to avoid loss of jobs and mass exit of these patriotic investors who have supported our economy for this long while the government was sleeping.

I know this hasty and ill-timed national carrier idea is a political strategy and not a well-thought out, altruistic and nationalistic idea. We cannot rush into creating a national carrier that will die in some years and we are back to the basis. The government must look critically at other contemporary airlines that commenced operations with Nigeria airways and how far they have gone, what they have be doing to still remain relevant, the manpower capability and expertise.

Dana Air and AERO have been there for more than 10 years and how they have been grappling with the multiple taxation and obsolete infrastructures at the airport is admirable. Both airlines must have a management model that is worthy of emulation to have been able to exhibit this level of staying power and the government needs to look in their way and not just encourage them but seek expert ideas from them.



Emeka Gbulie, a public affairs commentator, wrote from Abuja

National Carrier as 2019 strategy?

The desperation and rate at which this government is doing everything to save face before election is alarming. This rush we didn’t see after President Buhari spent 6 months before appointing ministers, calls for worry and concern

We cannot make progress as a nation, if we continue to rely on politicians and governments who make progressive decisions for the benefits they will get in return.

Only recently, and as a result of the wide criticism that greeted the President’s description of the Nigerian youths as lazy, the President hurriedly signed the Not too young to run bill. While many see this as commendable, some still believe that the president should have signed and shown his commitment to the bill by not contesting next year’s election considering his age and achievements which to many, is below par.

The President also took a very commendable but also ‘hasty’ decision, when he announced June 12 as Democracy day and posthumous conferment of national honors on Abiola , the presumed winner of the 1993 election, his running mate Babagana Kingibe and late Chief Gani Fawhemi. This decision has drawn flak from within the President’s party as illegal and unconstitutional as the president did not consult or table the matter at the National Council of state.

The leading opposition party PDP, has also been quick to describe it as a ‘’Greek gift’’ and an attempt to win votes and sympathy of the south west after sidelining Tinubu and ignoring the concerns of the nPDP in his party.

From the forgoing, it is clear that all the decisions highlighted earlier in this article are all attempts by the administration of President Buhari to save face before the election next year. Also believing that Nigerians are suffering from perennial gullibility and forgetfulness, the FG has also given DEC deadline to the aviation agencies to set up a national carrier. Is this government for real? Is this a political statement or fact?

Considering the array of unaddressed issues plaguing the industry from warped bilateral agreements, to multiple taxation, high cost of aviation fuel, obsolete facilities at the airport, and cries from the AON, the umbrella body of airlines, will this national carrier be formed on this very suspicious foundation? This government seems to have just woken from its slumber after 3 years of snail-like movement. Is this another strategy to win votes in 2019? You cant just set up a national carrier so quickly because you want to have something to campaign with in the coming elections!

The AON had earlier in a statement warned against set up a national carrier with tax payers money as this is not the standard in other parts of the world. The AON also succinctly stated that a national carrier at this time will be a ‘’drainpipe’’ to our treasury and that the agenda is not clear. I will agree with the airlines on this one, because government has never been a good business manager. More so, the fact that we are just exiting recession means that our resources are still lean and must be used judiciously to create urgent infrastructures as the national carrier is not our problem at this time.

Inasmuch as the idea isn’t a bad one, I have a problem with the ‘’hastiness’’ in the decision! Have you asked questions why the former Nigerian Airways failed? Have the workers been paid? Have we addressed the multiplicity of issues plaguing the industry? Are we getting a well established airline to manage for us? Is it going to be private sector driven or strictly government? Is the new national carrier going to defray the over 45 billion it owes it former staffs? What is the plan for sustainability? These are too many questions that the Buhari administration needs to address, without this clueless and hasty attempt to set up a carrier on a shaky foundation.

Presently, the airlines that we have are struggling and most have not been able to survive 5 years with the harsh policies. We need to commend airlines like Dana Air, Aero and others that have been there for about 10 years serving the Nigerian flying public, and covering the lacuna created by the government’s inability to create a standard carrier.

These airlines need to be supported and strengthened to compete favorably as they have proven to be very strong and well-managed. The government must also ensure a level playing field for all the carriers to avoid loss of jobs and mass exit of these patriotic investors who have supported our economy for this long while the government was sleeping.

I know this hasty and ill-timed national carrier idea is a political strategy and not a well-thought out, altruistic and nationalistic idea. We cannot rush into creating a national carrier that will die in some years and we are back to the basis. The government must look critically at other contemporary airlines that commenced operations with Nigeria airways and how far they have gone, what they have be doing to still remain relevant, the manpower capability and expertise.

Dana Air and AERO have been there for more than 10 years and how they have been grappling with the multiple taxation and obsolete infrastructures at the airport is admirable. Both airlines must have a management model that is worthy of emulation to have been able to exhibit this level of staying power and the government needs to look in their way and not just encourage them but seek expert ideas from them.



Emeka Gbulie, a public affairs commentator, wrote from Abuja

National Carrier as 2019 strategy?

The desperation and rate at which this government is doing everything to save face before election is alarming. This rush we didn’t see after President Buhari spent 6 months before appointing ministers, calls for worry and concern

We cannot make progress as a nation, if we continue to rely on politicians and governments who make progressive decisions for the benefits they will get in return.

Only recently, and as a result of the wide criticism that greeted the President’s description of the Nigerian youths as lazy, the President hurriedly signed the Not too young to run bill. While many see this as commendable, some still believe that the president should have signed and shown his commitment to the bill by not contesting next year’s election considering his age and achievements which to many, is below par.

The President also took a very commendable but also ‘hasty’ decision, when he announced June 12 as Democracy day and posthumous conferment of national honors on Abiola , the presumed winner of the 1993 election, his running mate Babagana Kingibe and late Chief Gani Fawhemi. This decision has drawn flak from within the President’s party as illegal and unconstitutional as the president did not consult or table the matter at the National Council of state.

The leading opposition party PDP, has also been quick to describe it as a ‘’Greek gift’’ and an attempt to win votes and sympathy of the south west after sidelining Tinubu and ignoring the concerns of the nPDP in his party.

From the forgoing, it is clear that all the decisions highlighted earlier in this article are all attempts by the administration of President Buhari to save face before the election next year. Also believing that Nigerians are suffering from perennial gullibility and forgetfulness, the FG has also given DEC deadline to the aviation agencies to set up a national carrier. Is this government for real? Is this a political statement or fact?

Considering the array of unaddressed issues plaguing the industry from warped bilateral agreements, to multiple taxation, high cost of aviation fuel, obsolete facilities at the airport, and cries from the AON, the umbrella body of airlines, will this national carrier be formed on this very suspicious foundation? This government seems to have just woken from its slumber after 3 years of snail-like movement. Is this another strategy to win votes in 2019? You cant just set up a national carrier so quickly because you want to have something to campaign with in the coming elections!

The AON had earlier in a statement warned against set up a national carrier with tax payers money as this is not the standard in other parts of the world. The AON also succinctly stated that a national carrier at this time will be a ‘’drainpipe’’ to our treasury and that the agenda is not clear. I will agree with the airlines on this one, because government has never been a good business manager. More so, the fact that we are just exiting recession means that our resources are still lean and must be used judiciously to create urgent infrastructures as the national carrier is not our problem at this time.

Inasmuch as the idea isn’t a bad one, I have a problem with the ‘’hastiness’’ in the decision! Have you asked questions why the former Nigerian Airways failed? Have the workers been paid? Have we addressed the multiplicity of issues plaguing the industry? Are we getting a well established airline to manage for us? Is it going to be private sector driven or strictly government? Is the new national carrier going to defray the over 45 billion it owes it former staffs? What is the plan for sustainability? These are too many questions that the Buhari administration needs to address, without this clueless and hasty attempt to set up a carrier on a shaky foundation.

Presently, the airlines that we have are struggling and most have not been able to survive 5 years with the harsh policies. We need to commend airlines like Dana Air, Aero and others that have been there for about 10 years serving the Nigerian flying public, and covering the lacuna created by the government’s inability to create a standard carrier.

These airlines need to be supported and strengthened to compete favorably as they have proven to be very strong and well-managed. The government must also ensure a level playing field for all the carriers to avoid loss of jobs and mass exit of these patriotic investors who have supported our economy for this long while the government was sleeping.

I know this hasty and ill-timed national carrier idea is a political strategy and not a well-thought out, altruistic and nationalistic idea. We cannot rush into creating a national carrier that will die in some years and we are back to the basis. The government must look critically at other contemporary airlines that commenced operations with Nigeria airways and how far they have gone, what they have be doing to still remain relevant, the manpower capability and expertise.

Dana Air and AERO have been there for more than 10 years and how they have been grappling with the multiple taxation and obsolete infrastructures at the airport is admirable. Both airlines must have a management model that is worthy of emulation to have been able to exhibit this level of staying power and the government needs to look in their way and not just encourage them but seek expert ideas from them.



Emeka Gbulie, a public affairs commentator, wrote from Abuja