Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation, has suspended Dana Airline operations due to concerns surrounding the safety and financial viability of their operations.

The Minister said through the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, the airline’s operations in the country, will be suspended until a comprehensive audit is conducted.

This was said  in a statement titled ‘Immediate suspension of Dana Airline pending safety and financial health audit’, signed by Dr Emmanuel Meribole, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary.

On Tuesday, an aircraft which belongs to the airline, with registration number 5N BKI, skidded off the runway at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

The aircraft,  which flew from Abuja to Lagos, skidded off the runway in an attempt to land, no causality was recorded.

The statement directed to the Director General of NACA, called for the suspension of the airline’s fleet until after an audit is completed.

“As the supervisor overseeing our nation’s aviation safety and regulatory compliance, it has come to the Honourable Minister’s attention that recent incidents involving DANA AIRLINE have raised serious concerns regarding both the safety and financial viability of their operations.

“In light of these incidents and with the paramount priority being the safety and well-being of our citizens and travellers, the Honourable Minister has directed that you immediately initiate the suspension of Dana Airline’s fleet until a comprehensive audit can be conducted,” the statement read.

Meribole noted that the audit should encompass all aspects of safety protocols, maintenance procedures, and financial health to ensure full compliance with aviation regulations.