The Aviation Round Table Initiative and the Flight Dispatchers Association of Nigeria have disagreed with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, over the suspension of Dana Air following an incident involving one of its aircraft.

Dana Airline has been in the news since Tuesday after its aircraft with registration number 5N BKI and 83 passengers onboard skidded on the Lagos airport runway.

The airline, which was coming from Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja, had disembarked its passengers through the emergency exit of the aircraft.

The airline was stuck in a bushy area close to the runway.

All passengers and crew members disembarked unhurt.

Angered by this development, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, in a letter, ordered the suspension of the airline.

Upon the minister’s instruction, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, on Wednesday, effected the suspension.

In a statement signed by the General Secretary of ASRTI, Olumide Ohunayo, the body of experts noted that the minister’s order for the suspension of Dana was an interference with the autonomy of the NCAA.

ASRTI stated, “The suspension of the entire operations of DANA Air directed by the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development runs against these principles and indicates a return to the ugly past that destroys confidence in the industry and by the global community in the principles of an autonomous industry regulator, representing a threat to safety, security in the sector generally.

“We condemn the external interference demonstrated by the minister’s directive, which serves to erode institutional autonomy and jeopardises 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 conduct of financial audits of airlines lies exclusively with the NCAA. The decisions on what are appropriate sanctions for violations also lie with the NCAA exclusively.”

The aviation group, however, called for the immediate lifting of the suspension of the entire operation of Dana Air with “an immediate apology to the entire aviation community for the actions from the HMA&A and the ministry, while the NCAA/NSIB investigation continues on the affected MD 82 aircraft or fleet”.

Also, the Flight Dispatchers Association of Nigeria stated that instead of suspending the airline and summoning the pilot before a panel, they should rather be applauded for professionalism.

FLIDAN stated, “The surprising thing was that the aviation authorities made him face a panel rather than applaud his efforts. He was able to prove that the simulated flights carried out by pilots to prove he could have landed on the runway rather than on the Hudson took several tries but he had only one trial.”

The association, which spoke through a statement signed by its General Secretary, Victoria Adegbe, further faulted the action of the minister.

It added, “This Dana Air should be commended. Ensuring the Continued Airworthiness of an aircraft is the sole responsibility of the NCAA and not the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace and as long as an airline (AOC holder) can demonstrate that the aircraft is airworthy then it continues to fly. Hence, suspending the entire operations of an AOC holder is quite punitive.”

FLIDAN further submitted that the suspension of Dana Airlines was done in haste.

“FLIDAN, therefore, submits that the suspension of Dana Air Operations was too hasty, and punitive and should be reviewed promptly, and just as Capt Sullenberger Won; we hope that Dana Air will be applauded for the bravery of the crew and their suspension lifted.”

Responding while appearing on Channels Television, the minister noted that he had acted within the dictates of his duties.

He added that complaints against the airline predate his arrival in office.

While taking a swipe at his attackers over the suspension of Dana, Keyamo stated that the problem with the aviation sector was that everyone arrogated the power of an expert to themselves.

He stated, ”For me, the last thing I will want to happen to me as the aviation minister is to have blood on my hands, the blood of innocent Nigerians, as a result of either the negligence of deep complicity or corruption on the part of those who are supposed to be the regulators of the aviation sector.