DANA Airline Emerges Best Domestic Carrier

By Yemi Akinsuyi

DANA airline has been selected by the Management of Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) as the best domestic carrier of 2011. The airline defeated other domestic carriers based on their passenger capacity, frequency of landing and takeoff, prompt payment of their bills among others, which set it clear from the rest of domestic carriers in the country.

The airline was presented with the award during the FAAN Staff Award Ceremony of 2011 at the Domestic Wing of Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja. Lufthansa airline emerged the best International carrier of 2011, as Sahara Energy received the Award for the best Oil Marketer of the said year.

Others who equally received awards include Alhaji Musa Garba as the best Concessioner; award for the best Hanger went to Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO) and the Nigeria Air force was selected as the best Security Agency of the year 2011.

Speaking further over the procedure for the selection to newsmen, FAAN’s Regional Manager, North Central, Chris Batoure, cited DANA’s “passenger capacity, frequency of taking off, response to payment of bills and punctuality in their operation. If there were problems with the customers they keep time to handle them.

“These were their excellent service discharge and also the volume of passengers that have made them the best among all the domestic airlines,” Batoure affirmed.

On the reason for the delay of the ceremony and the recent accident, the Regional Manager disclosed that “we did not plan it that way”, adding that “all that happened is this, the award would have taken place early this year but we could not hold it. But in all the fairness, they did their best and we need to recognise and encourage them to get back”.

DANA airline station manager, Abuja, Kayode Adeniran, who received the Award for the airline, expressed gratitude to FAAN for choosing the airline and restated their commitment to maintain their on-time departure, regular operation and customer service.

“It is unfortunate of that incidence. It is not a deliberate action, and in aviation in the whole world you cannot rule out accident”, Adeniran said about the June 3 accident of DANA airline. He further stated for the first time in this country, “we went to all the families to sympathise with them” and expressed their unhappiness about the people lost in the accident.

Presently, DANA airline is on demonstration flight, after which NCAA will certify the airline to start operation, as it is with ICAO standard. Over 22 FAAN staff from various departments received awards, which saw Ahmed Zubairu Aramide emerged the overall best staff. The annual FAAN award ceremony is aimed at promoting commitment to duty and reward hard work and to also encourage and motivate staff to give their best.

Courtesy: This Day Live