Dana Air celebrates 10 years of service to Nigeria

Dana Air has marked its 10th anniversary in Nigeria’s aviation industry with a strong commitment to continue to offer its guests the best of service hinged on safety and customer satisfaction.

The Chief Operating Officer of Dana Air Mr Obi Mbanuzuo, gave the assurance while speaking with newsmen on Monday in Lagos to mark  the airline's 10th anniversary of operations in Nigeria. 

The carrier started flight operations on Nov. 10,2008 and has flown over 2.7 million passengers since then. 

Mbanuzuo said Dana Air was proud to be celebrating 10 years of providing massive job opportunities, capacity development, training and  broad corporate social responsibility and most of all, amazing  flight service to Nigeria and Nigerians.

He said :"When we commenced operations 10 years ago, our desire was change the convention and exceed the flying aspiration of our guests with our world-class services 

"Today, with the support and loyalty of our esteemed guests, we have been able to achieve 10 years of service to Nigerians.

‘’As you may be aware, we are about the second private domestic airline in Nigeria’s history to achieve this feat, and it’s on record that over 60 airlines have gone under without being able to even survive even five years in the industry.

" It hasn’t been easy as we have had to grapple with a lot of challenges in the last 10 years ranging from infrastructure, multiple taxes, and high cost of aviation fuel, but we are delighted to have been able to brave the storm.

" I must say our commitment, proficient management style, high standards, and passion for excellence brought us this far."

Mbanuzuo said the airline had done a lot through its CSR programme (Dana Foundation) which had helped to raise millions of naira for the sickle cell foundation in Lagos, as well as autism patients.

" We have also supported a couple of other similar organisations like Rotary Club on blood donation and cancer fighting organizations like project PinkBlue, Children Living with Cancer Foundation just to mention a few," he added. 

Commenting on the airline’s sponsorship of two Nigerian clubs, Mbanuozo said Dana Air was  the only Nigerian airline at the moment sponsoring two Nigerian league clubs- Heartland FC of Owerri and Akwa United FC in Akwa Ibom State.

He said the airline had also  made significant and firm progress in its strategic route and fleet expansion programme.

 The accountable manager said: "Our good understanding of the workings of the industry has been an added advantage and very soon we will announce the steps and progress made. It is our desire to cover more cities in Nigeria but we have to be strategic about it.

"Having flown over 2.7m passengers in the last 10 years of our operations with an on-time performance and  a world-class in-flight service that is yet to be unrivaled, our desire is to do another 10 years offering Nigerians the best of service hinged on customer satisfaction and safety. " 

Air Peace marks 4th anniversary with gifts to passengers

West Africa’s leading carrier, Air Peace on Wednesday wove the celebration of the fourth anniversary of its flight operations around rewarding the loyalty of its customers with gifts ranging from free tickets to souvenirs and improved inflight refreshment.

In a related development, members of the flying public and aviation players have commended the carrier for leading efforts to transform air travel in Nigeria and the West Coast of Africa.

A statement signed by the Chief Operating Officer, Mrs Oluwatoyin Olajide said the airline centred the celebration of the fourth anniversary of its flight operations on members of the flying public as a mark of the premium it placed on them as the core of its business.

“Running an airline anywhere around the world is quite a challenge. But our wonderful guests have made the four years of our flight operations a very pleasant experience.

"From seven aircraft and five routes at launch of our operations on Oct. 24, 2014, our valued guests have supported us all the way to the top spot of the aviation business in Nigeria and the West Coast of Africa.

"Today, we operate into 14 domestic and five regional destinations, with plans for the launch of our long-haul flights to Dubai, Sharjah, London, Houston, Guangzhou-China, Mumbai and Johannesburg nearing completion.

" From seven aircraft at launch, we now have a fleet of over 24 aircraft, excluding the 10 brand new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft we recently ordered.

“In four years, we have scored a number of firsts and set a multitude of records in the aviation industry in Nigeria and the West Coast of Africa, including the acquisition as well as registration of Nigeria’s first Boeing 777 and setting up of a subsidiary, Air Peace Hopper to organise our effort to seamlessly connect unserved and underserved domestic and regional routes under our no-city-left-behind project.

“On the economic front, we have created thousands of direct and indirect jobs for members of the public without discrimination on the bases of gender, religion, creed and tribe. We have done a whole lot in unifying Nigeria through air travel and positively impacted the economies of the country and its regional counterparts.

“All this would have been impossible without the patronage, support and loyalty of our valued customers. That was why we decided that our fourth anniversary be devoted to celebrating them.

"We see a very bright future and we assure of better days ahead for members of the flying public as we continue to strive for greater ways of delivering safe, comfortable and exception flight services.”

The airline, it was gathered, gave passengers who flew on its fourth anniversary gifts, including power banks, bluetooth speakers, USB flash drives and pens.

The airline also allocated a number of free tickets to be won by its customers and members of the public participating in its social media engagements.

The airline, reports said, also raised the quality of refreshment served on its flights.

Meanwhile, members of the public have commended Air Peace for distinguishing itself through the delivery of exceptional flight services in Nigeria and West Africa.
Speaking on the flight operations of Air Peace, Senator Chris Adighije and Sir Jude Ejiogu, who were on the airline’s Owerri-Abuja service on Wednesday, said it had acquitted itself creditably despite the difficulties of running an airline.
For its part, the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO) praised the Chairman of Air Peace, Mr. Allen Onyema and his team for working tirelessly to transform air travel in Nigeria.
In a letter signed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of NAHCO, Arc Usman Arabi Bello and addressed to Air Peace chairman, the company said: “We congratulate you on four years of non-stop and consistent flying activities, which have seen Air Peace grow its fleet, routes and frequencies within and outside Nigeria.
“This growth is a clear testament of the resilience of the Air Peace Team and manifestation of your efforts to transform air travel in Nigeria.”
In his own comments, the Airport Manager of Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Mr. Henry Efobi said the carrier had surpassed expectations of the public in four years.

Dana Air partners NESG for 24th Nigerian economic summit

Dana Air has announced that it is partnering with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) towards the success of the 24^th Nigerian Economic Summit holding at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja from 22^nd to 23^rd October 2018.

 

This year’s summit with the theme: Poverty to prosperity: Making Governance and Institutions Work, will provide a forum for policy makers and captains of industry from both private and public sectors of the Nigerian economy as well as academia, civil society organizations and development partners to interact and share thoughts on key issues and challenges facing the Nigerian economy.

 

Commenting on the partnership, the Communications Manager of Dana Air, Kingsley Ezenwa said, ‘we are proud to have become a key partaker and contributor to the success of a think-tank initiative such as the Nigerian Economic summit and it is coming up at a time when the issue of good governance and economic inclusion has become an existential one for our nation.’’

 

As airline partner of the 24^th Nigerian Economic Summit, Dana Air is providing a special discount to guests and delegates to facilitate their transportation to the summit in Abuja.

 

NES#24 is structured around five key pillars of inputs and outcomes that will serve as the summit’s sub themes: Corruption and Rule of law, Effective Public Institutions, Sustainable Economic Opportunities, Human Development, Participation and Citizens’ Rights.

 

Other sessions will include: Effective Public Institutions, Sustainable Economic Opportunities, mobilization and Venture Networking.  

 

Having flown over 2.7 million passengers in the last 9 years of its operations, Dana Air is one of Nigeria’s leading airlines reputed for its world-class in-flight service, innovative online products and services and unrivaled on time departures. 

Dana Air reaffirms commitment to youth empowerment

Nigerian carrier, Dana Air, has reaffirmed its commitment to youth empowerment and professionalism in the aviation industry with her sponsorship of the first ever Cabin Crew Contest in Sub Saharan Africa.

The Chief Operating Officer of Dana Air , Mr Obi Mbanuzuo, announced the airline's sponsorship of the event to newsmen on Wednesday in Lagos. 

The competition is an initiative of the Crew Training Institute (CTI), inaugurated on Nov. 18,2016 to train and impact prerequisite knowledge and soft skills needed for aspiring cabin crew.

Mbanuzuo said Dana Air had scored another first in the aviation industry for headlining the sponsorship of the first ever cabin crew contest in Africa. 

He said :"We are boundless in our orientation as an airline and we will continue to impact the industry, aspiring aviators and of course our guests positively as always.

 "When we decided to sponsor the contest, we considered the fact that somebody will be empowered and exposed.

"We also considered the platform it will give aspiring aviators and we felt it was another opportunity for the flying public to have a better perception and understanding of the industry."

Also speaking on the initiative, the CEO of  Crew Training Institute, Mrs Katheryn Lademo, commended Dana Air for taking the challenge of sponsoring the contest. 

Lademo explained that the initiative was  a contest where cabin crew aspirants were put through a screening process to select the finest cabin crew talent who will emerge as "THE CABIN CREW". 

"The winner wins a cabin crew job, a trip to South Africa to experience crew lifestyle and finishing school training at Crew Training Institute.

" ‘The primary focus of this annual TV show is to promote youth development and job creation for the teaming population of youth who are desirous to start a career in the aviation sector as cabin crew," she added. 

Nigeria Airways pensioners verification exercise in Pics

Pictures from the ongoing verification of ex-workers of the defunct Nigeria Airways at the Skypower Catering Services Limited, Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos

Air Peace assures customers as Asaba flight operations resume

Nigeria’s leading carrier, Air Peace on Monday made good its promise to resume its Lagos-Asaba-Lagos operations with the addition of Abuja-Asaba-Abuja to the service, pledging to deliver the best flight experience to the travelling public on the routes.

The airline, which pulled out of the route more than two years ago due to safety concerns with respect to the runway of the Asaba Airport, said it was delighted to return to the Asaba route to end the hardship travellers had contended with since its exit.

Meanwhile, Delta State First Lady, Mrs. Edith Okowa and the Special Project Director, Asaba Airport, Mr Austin Ayemidejor have assured Air Peace that its return to the Asaba route would be a success story. 

Speaking moments after the relaunch flight touched down at the Asaba Airport, Air Peace Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Mr Allen Onyema said the carrier had proved in four years of its flight operations that it was in the airline business to make a difference.

He praised Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa for intervening in the challenges of the Asaba Airport and making sure it was once again safe for flight operations. 

He said he was personally attached to the state, where he grew up. He added that the airline planned to add Warri to its Delta operations soon. 

Onyema, who was represented by the airline’s Corporate Communications Manager, Mr Chris Iwarah, said: “About three years ago, we took the painful decision to suspend our flights into the Asaba Airport. It was not an easy path to go for us.

" But Air Peace is a place where matters bordering on safety are regarded with uncompromising discipline. We, therefore, had no choice than to halt our Asaba operations when audits confirmed that it was no longer safe for us to operate into the facility with our fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft. 

"That decision brought a lot of pain to the flying public, who however showed understanding. Today, we are glad that all that hardship has finally come to an end. Your darling airline, Air Peace is back to you, the good people of Delta. 

“We are indeed very grateful to His Excellency, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, the Governor of Delta State for fixing the challenges with the Asaba Airport and making it possible for us once more to serve the flying public on the Asaba route.

" For the trouble the flying public went through on the Asaba route for about three years, we have decided to give double of our exceptional flight services.

l We have added Abuja-Asaba-Abuja to the service. We are soon going to triple this with the addition of Warri to our route network. We promise you nothing but the best of flight services.” 

On her part, Delta State First Lady, Mrs Edith Okowa, who was personally at the airport to welcome the Air Peace team, said the state was pleased with the decision of the airline to return to the Asaba route. 

Air Peace, she said, would be supported to succeed in Delta.

Also speaking, Special Project Director, Asaba Airport, Mr. Austine Ayemidejor assured that the facility was now safe for flight operations. He said work was nearing completion on facilities for handling wide-body aircraft at the airport.

Responding, Air Peace Chief Pilot and team leader, Capt. Victor Egonu said the airline was satisfied with the facilities at the airport for flight operations.

In his own comments, Air Peace Brand Ambassador, K-Cee thanked the Okowas and the management of the Asaba Airport for according the carrier a warm welcome. 

He assured that the airline would not disappoint in its Asaba flight operations

Dana Air, Radisson Blu Partnership excites guests

Dana Air has partnered Radisson Blu Anchorage to offer its guests an exciting package when they fly from any of its destinations – Owerri, Abuja, PortHarcourt and Uyo to its hub in Lagos.

According to the Media and Communications Manager of Dana Air, Mr Kingsley Ezenwa, the airline’s guests can now enjoy an amazing weekend getaway at Radisson Blu Anchorage hotel Victoria Island Lagos.

‘’We are pleased to announce our partnership with Radisson Blu Anchorage to offer our guests an exciting total package when they fly from any of our destinations to Lagos.  

‘’The package which is valid till December 31^st 2018, comes with very good discount per booking and  complimentary breakfast for two, amazing discounts at voyage restaurant and Spa.’’

Kingsley noted that the airline had to enter into a partnership with another brand reputed for its world-class services just to offer its guests a whole new getaway experience and the feeling that comes with flying the smartest way.

‘This is what is expected of a smart airline anywhere in the world. Guests should be able to book and get other value-added services based on the customer-centric partnerships of the airline. These packages or benefits could come in form of cab services, hotel booking or shopping deals. 

Interested passengers are expected to provide Dana Air boarding passes of recent trips at least 48 hours to making their reservation or send a  mail reservation.lagos@radissonblu.com ordanamiles@flydanaair.com for details.’’

Also speaking at the min-event in Lagos , a Dana Air passenger, Chibuike Ememta said, this is sure an exciting time for us as loyal guests of Dana Air. Before now, you fly into Lagos and begin to search for a hotel but with this partnership, you can arrange your gateway ahead and relax. More exciting is the fact that it extends till December.''

Meanwhile, Dana Air has rewarded the winners of its explore Nigeria campaign across Nigeria. The campaign which entails youths between 18-30 to do a video and market Nigeria’s tourist attractions at their various locations across Nigeria was in collaboration with Kinabuti, the producers of Dare2dream; a Dana Air sponsored youth empowerment and reality TV initiative.

Dana Air is expected sponsor the trips of the winners to the various destinations of their choice.