Pix Source ;www.flydanaair.com
…Dana Air Begins Daily Flights From Lagos To Owerri
…Sets N12, 600 As Introductory Fare
Dana Air has cried out over the challenges facing domestic airlines such as the rise in fuel price, multiple charges and high exchange rate among other issues.
This is just as the airline said it has commenced daily flights from Lagos to Owerri with an introductory online fare of N12, 600 one way.
The airline, who spoke through its Accountable Manager of Dana Air, Mr Obi Mbanuzuo, while addressing journalists in Lagos stated that the multiple charges paid by domestic airlines in the country are affecting the operations of the local carriers.
According to him, “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.’’
He cited a situation where airlines peg fares in naira and have to pay for necessary maintenance in hard currency as one of the challenges facing airlines in the country.
Speaking 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 he stated remains to be recognised and respected as Nigeria’s most reliable and customer-friendly airline’ and her mission is ‘to earn the loyalty and respect of its customers by consistently demonstrating its commitment to service and providing affordable regional air transport services that focus on innovation, quality and service excellence.
Obi explained that Dana Air currently operates daily flights to Abuja, Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Uyo and that the airline will extend its operations to other cities in Nigeria as part of its strategic route expansion plans.
He stated that the airline was 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.
He 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.
According to him, ‘’ 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.’’
Explaining the reason behind the choice of Owerri, Obi 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.”
On airline’s route and fleet expansion plans, the Accountable Manager 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 contributes to capacity building in the industry.
In his words, “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.’’
