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.

According to ART, the NCAA conducts airline financial audits and decides appropriate sanctions for violations.

The aviation group added, “ART hereby advises an immediate lifting of the suspension of the entire operation of Dana Airlines and demands an apology to the entire aviation community for the actions from the minister and the ministry.”

ART urged Mr Keyamo “to concentrate on policy issues that positively impact the airline industry” and “demands that other agencies be allowed to carry out their statutory obligations without interference, including the observed interferences at FAAN.”

It also “requests that the minister move promptly to appoint the required boards to enable the smooth and properly guided operations of agencies.”

ART urged the NCAA to publicly disclose the airlines concerned in the reported infractions and highlight actions others must avoid to avert the NCAA’s hammer.

The minister directed the NCAA to suspend Dana Airlines’ Air Operators Certificate on April 24 after one of its aircraft, MD-82, skidded off the runway at the local wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, on April 23.

(NAN)