Nigerian Flight Deck Travel and Business Reportage
Dana Air has commenced daily flights from Lagos to Owerri with an introductory online fare of N12, 600 one way. The airline currently operates daily flights to Abuja, Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Uyo and is set to extend its operations to other cities in Nigeria as part of its strategic route expansion plans.
The Accountable Manager of Dana Air, Mr Obi Mbanuzuo, while addressing newsmen in Lagos, said the airline is committed to providing safe, reliable and pocket friendly service to the flying public. Obi also expressed appreciation to the airlines’ guests, partners and other stakeholders in the aviation industry for their support and patronage, and advised them to take advantage of the online fare, which he said was part of the airlines’ way of appreciating its teeming guests for their loyalty on the airlines’ existing route network.
‘’ We commenced daily flights from Lagos to Owerri and back with an online fare we feel will be suitable for all. The fare is just our way of thanking our loyal guests on Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Uyo routes for visiting our websitewww.flydanaair.com daily to book their tickets.’’
Obi while also explaining the reason behind the choice of Owerri, said ‘’Owerri is fast becoming a hub in Nigeria and our decision was borne out of our desire to extend our award-winning service to the good people of Owerri, the Imo state capital.
Speaking on the airlines’ route and fleet expansion plans, Obi said, ‘’ plans are in top gear to add to our fleet and we are in talks with our local and foreign partners to see ways to fast track this. We are also aware of the demand for extension of our world-class services to more Nigerian cities and the west coast, and wish to state that plans are underway to expand our route network in the coming month in line with our growth plan.”
He assured guests of the airline that Dana Air will continue to invest in training and retraining of its Pilots, Engineers and other Technical staff and also contribute to capacity building in the industry.
‘We can boast of having some of the best hands in the industry and the feedback from our guests is positive. We will continue to invest in training and retraining of our Captains, Engineers and Technical staff to in order to keep the standards.’’
However, the airline expressed displeasure over some of the challenges facing domestic airlines like the rise in fuel price, multiple charges, and high exchange rate among other issues. “One of the issues domestic airlines are faced with is multiple charges. If these charges can be merged or eliminated, it will help the present situation of airlines. As it stands, airlines pay a statutory charge, which is fine, but some other charges, which the airlines need to grapple with, are not even applicable in other climes.’’ Presently, airlines peg fares in naira and have to pay for necessary maintenance in hard currency, Obi added.
Commenting further, Obi said, “For us as an airline, we are concerned about providing affordable regional air transport services and we will be happy if the government can enter favorable agreements and create policies that will favor domestic airlines so that the burden is reduced on the flying public”.
‘’Dana Air’s vision remains ‘to be recognized and respected as Nigeria’s most reliable and customer-friendly airline’ and her mission is ‘to earn the loyalty and respect of our customers by consistently demonstrating our commitment to service, and providing affordable regional air transport services that focus on innovation, quality and service excellence’’ he assured.
