Dana Air expands fleet, acquires Boeing aircraft
Dana Air has acquired a Boeing 737-500 series aircraft as part of its expansion plans to boost its operations.
With the additional aircraft coming into its service, Dana Air said it would now operate an aircraft fleet comprising the Boeing MD 83 series and Boeing 737.
A statement by the company noted that the Boeing 737-500 aircraft, the first of the Boeing 737 aircraft expected to join the fleet, had undergone the necessary inspection and certification by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority's auditors.
Speaking on the introduction of the B737, the Chief Operating Officer and Accountable Manager, Dana Airlines, Mr. Yvan Drewinsky, explained that the plan was an integral part of its long term business model.
He said, 'Our plan was to have two B737 aircraft join our fleet in the last quarter of 2013 but we had to reschedule the delivery date as we were undergoing an operational audit involving the NCAA flight standard group in conjunction with the foreign partners.
'The aircraft has undergone significant internal enhancements to ensure that Dana Airlines' guests continue to enjoy the unique and outstanding onboard experience they have come to expect from the airline. Our plan to re-fleet is a gradual process and we assure our customers of even better flying experience.'
He expressed delight at the outcome of the operational audit carried out by the NCAA, adding that it was a welcome development as it had reinforced that the airline adhered strictly to prescribed standards, having demonstrated satisfactory competence in the operations of the Boeing McDonnell Douglas (MD-83) aircraft fleet.
Dana Airlines is the first Nigerian airline to successfully undergo the NCAA's prescribed operational audit.
The airline, whose activities were suspended last year to enable the NCAA to carry out an operational audit, expressed satisfaction with the process, adding that the lifting of the suspension order was a testament that Dana Air adhered strictly to prescribed safety standards.