Dana loses N100 million in two days, threatens to downsize

• Carriers’ lose N400 million to union, Bi-Courtney dispute

One of the airlines operating from the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 (Dana) said it lost over N100 million to the ongoing industrial disputes between Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operator of Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 (MMA2) and the aviation unions; an action  that has paralysed domestic operations from the terminal.

It is unclear how much other airlines have lost as the crisis entered the second today. There are indications that other carriers like Azman, Aero Contractors, Medview, Arik, Max Air, may have conservatively lost over N400 million in loses just in two days.

Dana Air however apologised to its passengers who missed their flights occasioned by the dispute between aviation unions and Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operators of the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 (MMA2), Ikeja Lagos state.

Chief Accountable Officer for Dana, Obi Mbanuzo disclosed that while operating their first flight out of Lagos from MMA2, it made alternative arrangement and moved its operations temporarily to the General Aviation terminal (GAT).

His words, “For now, we have lost over N100 million to the ongoing action and losing such money in an industry where airlines are still grappling with a myriad of challenges is unacceptable and disappointing to say the least. We do not know how the situation will be in the coming days and we might have no other option that to downsize if the action stretches for too long”.

“Our worst fear however is, if the terminal will be able to process the number of passengers when there is a coincidence in flight schedule with over eight airlines having to operate from the General Aviation Terminal at the moment”.

“While we have been engaging our guests who are on our future flights seeing that the industrial action entered day two yesterday, we appeal to the parties involved to resolve the dispute in consideration of the passengers for whom we are all in the industry to serve”.

He stated that while they respect the rights of both parties to engage each other based on extant laws, he called on all concerned to intervene and save the industry from further crises.

He stated that at the moment, MMA2 remains the terminal that provides guests the best in terms of facilitation.

On Tuesday, a Federal High Court had granted an order in the suit filed by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operators of MMA2, restraining the unions from shutting down activities at the airport.

The unions, which comprised Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSSAN), the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), are protesting the sack of 22 workers of Bi-Courtney who were said to have been dismissed for partaking in union activities.

Speaking to New Telegraph, Hakeem Saheed, one of the sacked workers who used to be a security personnel with Bi-Courtney, said the organisation terminated the jobs of worker. He stated that the NCAA, security agents has been involved so that this issue can be resolved amicably saying the company refused.

Just like on Wednesday, there was heavy presence of security operatives, including the Police and officers of the Nigeria Air Force, in the area during the protest.

General Secretary ATSSSAN, Frances Akinjole told journalists that the unions were compelled to carry out the action following the refusal of the BASL management to accede to their demands.

 “This issue started since May when these workers were laid off for indicating interest to belong to unions.

Wole Shadare