NIGERIA (Lagos) – The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has approved the resumption of commercial flight operations by Dana Air.

The resumption of Dana Air’s flight operations on Sunday, 26 January 2014 comes on the heels of the lifting of the suspension order by the regulatory agency as the airline has demonstrated satisfactory competence in operating the Boeing McDonnell Douglas (MD-83) aircraft fleet.

It was learnt that the carrier will take delivery of two brand new Boeing 737-500 aircraft next week to boost its resumed operations.

It would be recalled that Dana Air was suspended  on October 6, 2013  by the Federal Government  to enable the NCAA carry out technical audit of its operations

Speaking in Lagos yesterday, the Chief Operating Officer and Accountable Manager, Mr. Yvan Drewinsky, said the lifting of the suspension order is a testament that Dana Air adheres strictly to prescribed safety standards as dictated by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards.

“The successful outcome of Dana Air’s operational audit by the NCAA involving the Flight Safety Group in conjunction with their foreign partners underscores our commitment to safe operations in line with standard procedures.

“We are therefore delighted at the prospect of our imminent plans to recommence flight operations to continue to offer unparalleled quality of flight services to our guests”, said Mr. Drewinsky.

Mr. Drewinsky thanked the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, and the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Agency, Captain Fola Akinkuotu, for making series of efforts to sanitise the aviation sector in Nigeria.

He assured that at resumption, Dana Air will operate flights on the Lagos – Abuja – Lagos route and will thereafter, progressively introduce additional routes and frequencies to cater for customers demands as more aircraft joins the fleet.