Some Nigerians have urged all domestic airline operators in the country to intensify efforts in Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) of their aircraft to ensure safety in the aviation industry.
They made the call in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja on Friday.
According to them, such move will sustain integrity of the country’s aviation sector.
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They were reacting to strange sound made by Dana Air flight 9J359, while taxing on the runway to take off from Lagos to Abuja recently at the Muritala Mohammed Airport, causing the passengers to shout in panick and the pilot was forced to stop the flight.
Mr Daniel Nwokoma, the Protocol Officers to Airlines at NAIA, who canvassed intensive MRO for aircraft, said that Dana Air incident, though minor, would have been discovered and addressed if the airline had properly done the needful.
“It was not a major problem. It was just a minor issue. There are a lot of things that can affect aircraft. It could be weather, normal operational failure, it could also be anything.
“ Generally speaking, the domestic airlines are doing well, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) are incredibly doing their job.
“Passengers have no reason to be afraid. We have good operational standard here in aviation, but it can be better if our airline operators take issue of MRO more seriously.
Also speaking, Mr Victor Opeyemi, Cargo Logistics Officer at NAIA, who pleaded with local airlines to adequately undergo MRO of their aircraft, saying it was the only way to advance in the industry.
“I cannot blame the passengers for their decision, they were being careful. Everybody has a right to his safety. I think the fault had been addressed and the air craft is in good condition.
“ The same airline had flown successfully after the incident. So, what I will just say is that the airlines should work more on their aircraft for the safety of their passengers, “ he said. (NAN)
