The Aviation Safety Roundtable Initiative (ART) has opposed the suspension of Dana Airlines operations and cautioned the ministry against interfering with the autonomy of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
The group’s position was noted in a statement signed by its general secretary, Olumide Ohunayo, on Thursday.
Mr Ohunayo said ART was disappointed with the actions taken by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, directing the NCAA to suspend Dana Airline’s operations.
“The suspension of the entire operations of Dana Airlines, directed by the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, indicates a return to the ugly past that destroys confidence in the industry and the global community.
“ART condemns the external interference demonstrated by the minister’s directive which serves to erode the 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 ART statement said.
