Tuesday, October 23, 2012

How Does a Crashed Airline Win Airline of the Year?? Dana Air and Musings from my Country

Despite a plane crash that claimed the lives of 153 people some months ago and the fact that families of victims of the crash might find it offensive, 

Dana Airline has been named the best domestic carrier for 2011 by the 

Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria(FAAN).

Over the weekend, FAAN's Regional General Manager, Mr. Chris Bature, said the airline was awarded the prize for its good customer relations and prompt payment of dues. He also added that the airline was selected because of its outstanding performance.

Reacting to a question on the timing of the award which is coming four months after the June 3rd Dana Air crash, Mr Bature explained that the award would have taken place earlier in the year and that the reward came after the operator's license had been restored.

In all fairness, they did their best and we need to recognize that and encourage them to get back to their feet," he added.

My Take:

I can still remember how I cried with the report of Memunat and her entire family who were aboard the ill fated flight while holidaying in Nigeria from Houston where she was based. 

Asides from Memunat, the poor families on the streets that the plane crashed into and murdered... those that lost their homes, their certificates and many more are still countless.

IT IS TOO SOON!! The families and Nigerians still have it fresh in their memory that this airline recently crashed. More importantly, no conclusive investigative reports were submitted to clear more air on the causes of the crash with the aviation minister, Stella Oduah, giving flimsy exucuses like destruction of the information in the black box or something in a much more silly deduction.

The Airline is already planning to resume operations soon and has commenced demonstration flights as stipulated by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

Although this award was presented based on the Airline's performance in 2011, I think this award is insensitive coming at a time when the pain and loss from the crash is still fresh.

Musings from my country Nigeria? I'm definitely not laughing... Maybe the world is at Nigeria's comic and irresponsible government... #sigh

No comments:

Post a Comment