By Louis Iba
Dana Air has commenced daily scheduled flights operations from the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos to the Sam Mbakwe Airport in Owerri, Imo State Airport as part of its route expansion programme. The Accountable Manager of Dana Air, Mr Obi Mbanuzuo, while addressing journalists prior to the take off of the flight on Monday in Lagos said in recent months, there had been a surge in passenger traffic on the Lagos – Owerri route and that in response to that high demand, the airline had to launch a direct flight on that route to ease the plight of hundreds of travellers. He said the airline was charging an introductory online fare of N12,600 (one way) for passengers on that route. ‘’Owerri is fast becoming a hub in Nigeria and our decision was borne out of our desire to extend our service to the good people of Owerri, the Imo state capital,” said Mbanuzuo. “And so we have commenced daily flights from Lagos to Owerri and back with an online fare of N12,600 which we feel will be suitable for all. And we are committed to providing safe, reliable and pocket friendly service to the flying public,” he added. The airline currently operates daily flights to Abuja, Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Uyo. Mbanuzuo said the airline, aside the Owerri route, is set to extend its operations to other cities in Nigeria as part of its new strategic route expansion plans. “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,” said Mbanuzuo. “We are also aware of the demand for extension of our 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 added.
He however, expressed displeasure over some of the challenges facing domestic airlines in the country 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,” Mbanuzuo said. “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,” he lamented. Commenting further, he 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 favourable agreements and create policies that will favour domestic airlines so that the burden is reduced on the flying public”. He 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.