(DDM) – The Federal Government has hinted that it may seize and sell the assets of Dana Air to refund passengers and travel agents whose funds remain trapped following the suspension of the airline’s operations.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the revelation was made by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, during the ministry’s fourth quarter stakeholders’ engagement held in Abuja on Tuesday.
The engagement, themed “Leveraging Public Feedback to Drive Excellence in Aviation Services,” focused heavily on accountability, passenger welfare, and safety standards within Nigeria’s aviation sector.
Keyamo explained that Dana Air’s suspension was driven entirely by safety concerns and not commercial factors.
According to him, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) acted based on “damning reports” outlining safety lapses, operational irregularities, and conditions that posed severe risks to passengers.
“For Dana, the problem is that it was a choice between safety and disaster,” Keyamo stated.
He added that the government could not ignore the alarming reports presented.
“If they continue flying, I don’t know whether most of us will be here. Many of us would have been victims of one of those flights. God forbid,” he warned.
The Minister said he had instructed the Acting Director-General of the NCAA, Chris Najomo, to conduct a thorough investigation to determine why outstanding refunds had not been paid.
Keyamo stressed that all trapped funds must be recovered and returned to passengers and travel agents who suffered losses.
“I have asked Najomo to dig deep to find out how those passengers and agents will be refunded,” he said.
He further stated that anyone linked to Dana Air’s management or ownership would not be allowed to return to the aviation sector in any form until all outstanding financial obligations were settled.
He noted that individuals or entities tied to the airline would be prevented from obtaining new Air Operator Certificates (AOCs) or from operating under any rebranded aviation business unless their debts were cleared.
Keyamo also revealed that the government is considering recovering Dana Air’s assets to settle the outstanding payments.
“We should look at their assets. There are assets that are still available. Let them sell their assets. Let’s cannibalize their revenue and pay people,” he said.
The Minister insisted that the NCAA take full responsibility for pursuing and securing the airline’s available resources to compensate affected Nigerians.
“NCAA should do that because they can’t get away with it,” he emphasized.
The development marks a significant shift in the industry, signaling stricter enforcement and heightened accountability for airlines operating in Nigeria.
Aviation analysts note that the case could set a precedent for how regulators handle airlines that owe passengers and violate safety standards.
As the government pushes forward, affected passengers and travel agents remain hopeful that long-awaited refunds will finally be processed.