EXCITING NEWS: TNG WhatsApp Channel is LIVE…
Subscribe for FREE to get LIVE NEWS UPDATE. Click here to subscribe!
Scores of Dana Air passengers on Thursday besieged the airline’s counters at the Murtala Muhammed Airport private terminal two, otherwise known as MM2 to demand refunds of fair following their inability to travel after ticket purchases.
A correspondent, who monitored the rowdy situation on Thursday in Lagos, reports that the confusion was caused by the indefinite suspension slammed on the airline by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for alleged financial incapacity and other issues.
Recall that on July 20, NCAA had in a statement announced that the suspension of the airline would become effective from Wednesday midnight.
Many of the passengers who were billed to travel on the airline tickets were caught up in the action leaving them with the option of buying fresh tickets from other available airlines in operation.
The passengers, numbering over 70, expressed reservations on the absence of personnel of the suspended carrier at the departure hall.
The passengers had expected the Airline to brief them on the next line of action over possible transfer to other partner airlines or refund of their ticket fares.
One of the passengers who identified him as Franklin Johnson told NAN that Dana representatives ought have stood at their counter to attend to passengers.
According to him, we came this morning in anticipation of flying to our various destinations but we are told Dana airline had been suspended.
“The management should have reached out to all passengers or arranged with other airlines to take its passengers.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the security officials of the terminal manager, Bi- Courtney Aviation Services Limited, made frantic efforts to calm some of the passengers.
All efforts made by the airline representatives to appeal to the passengers to remain calm were rebuffed as they insisted on collecting their money back.
Speaking to NAN, the image maker of Dana Air, Mr Kingsley Ezenwa, cited how the airline had reached out to the passengers on the matter.
He said the message was on the need for them to send their account details to enable the airline to commence the refund of their money.
“While you are making refunds the passengers should realize the fact that there are rules guiding such action as the process for the refund and for the passengers to get their money back may take two or three days and not immediately.
“We have been engaging the passengers through all social platforms.
The airline management had earlier informed passengers of flight cancellation saying: “Please be informed that all our flights have been cancelled due to an ongoing operational audit.
“We sincerely apologize for any inconveniences this may cause our customers and travel partners.
”Our customer service will operate 24/7 to assist passengers with necessary information,” he said.
NCAA directs suspended Dana Air to begin operational audit
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has directed the suspended Dana Air to begin operational audit before it can ensure return to flight operations.
The Communication Manager of the airline, Mr Kingsley Ezenwa, confirmed this in a statement issued in Lagos on Thursday.
Ezenwa explained that the audit was also an opportunity for the airline to reassure its guests, clients and partners that the airline remained safe and reliable.
The official said the airline had been fully cooperating with officials of the NCAA to ensure quick return to flight operations.
He said, “We are pleased to announce that we have commenced the operational audit as advised by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
”In this regard, we are fully cooperating with the NCAA to ensure our quick return to flight operations.
“Operational Audits are regulatory and airlines are required to suspend their operations when the regulator calls for it.
“So we are confident that having been successful in previous audits, we will come back even stronger and better.”
Ezenwa said that as an airline, Dana Air was not insulated from the multiple challenges airlines and the aviation industry grapples with daily.
According to him, these include the recent skyrocketing cost of aviation fuel at N830/ltr, unavailability of forex, ground handling services, inflation, multiple taxation amongst other operational challenges.
He noted that, “While this short stay off the market remains painful and heartbreaking for us.
“Our customers, clients and partners, we remain very hopeful and very confident of our position.
“Our offices will remain open to our travel partners, clients and our customer service will still be operational 24/7 as always to assist customers with necessary information.”
Ezenwa said customers with unused tickets had also been advised to apply for refund by sending an email to: [email protected] with their details, saying it would resolved in a timely manner.
He said the airline sincerely apologised to all affected customers, clients and travel partners for the inconveniences caused and crave their understanding and patience in the cause of the audit.