FG may seize Dana Air assets to refund stranded passengers

The federal government may move to seize the assets of Dana Air to reimburse passengers and airline agents whose funds remain trapped following the suspension of the carrier’s operations, aviation minister Festus Keyamo has said.

Keyamo made the disclosure in Abuja during the fourth-quarter stakeholder engagement on improving governance and service delivery in aviation, themed “Leveraging Public Feedback to Drive Excellence in Aviation Services.” He said he had directed the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to investigate why refunds have not been fully issued despite the airline’s prolonged suspension.

Explaining the suspension, Keyamo said the decision to ground Dana Air in April 2024 was “a choice between safety and disaster,” citing serious lapses in the airline’s operations that could have put passengers at risk. He stressed that the government would not allow the airline or its owners to evade financial obligations while attempting to re-enter the sector under a new guise. “If the same individuals or entities try to return to aviation, they must settle their debts first,” he said. “NCAA should pursue their assets to ensure Nigerians are paid what is owed.”

Dana Air’s Air Operator Certificate (AOC) was suspended after a runway incident involving one of its MD-82 aircraft, triggering safety and economic audits. NCAA director-general Capt. Chris Najomo, represented by Dr. Ben Omogo, said that as of September 2025, more than 9,500 passengers had received refunds or compensation, with additional claims still being processed according to regulatory timelines.

#UTVAfrica#