The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Mr. Obi Mbanuzuo

  • Dana Air moves to boost operations through interlining, code sharing

    Dana Air, on Monday, said it was making effort to boost its flight operations through strategic interlining and code sharing agreements with other domestic and foreign airlines.

    The Chief Operating Officer of Dana Air, Mr Obi Mbanuzuo, disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Lagos during the inaugural flight of the airline’s B737-700 aircraft which it recently added to its fleet through partnership with Asky.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the aircraft, which is being used by Dana Air’s for Lagos-Abuja flights landed at the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2, Lagos at about 5.20p.m with no fewer than 100 passengers.

    Mbanuzuo said that Dana Air had in February signed a partnership agreement with Asky, a Togo based airline, to boost its fleet and also in area of aircraft maintenance.

    According to him, the leasing of the B737-700 aircraft will help Dana Air staff undertake training on the aircraft type as its fleet was dominated by MD-83 aircraft.

    He said that the arrival of the aircraft was timely because two of the airline’s aircraft were currently undergoing C-check in France and expressed optimism that one of them would be back by September ending.

    Mbanuzuo said: “The interline agreement is part of our long term plan. We will be going further with code sharing with more foreign and local airlines by the middle of 2019.

    “We already have an arrangement with Medview Airline and two other airlines have also approached us.

    “Dana Air’s plan is not necessarily to fly to everywhere but what we are doing is to sell tickets on these routes and our guests will be flown by our partnering airlines under the code share agreement.”

    He said by November, Dana Air would be celebrating 10 years of operations in Nigeria, adding that this was not an easy feat due to the challenges facing the airline industry.

    NAN reports that statistics released by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) shows that Dana Air flew 330,370 passengers between January and August.

    The airline came second behind Air Peace, which topped the list of domestic airlines operating within the period with the airlift of 340,664 passengers within the period.

  • 2016 Legislative summit: Reps name Dana Air official airline

    2016 Legislative summit: Reps name Dana Air official airline

    Dana Air has been announced as the official airline of the House Representatives 2016 Legislative Summit on Sustainable Development Goals, scheduled to hold on the 22nd and 23rd of November 2016, at the NASS Complex, Abuja. 
     
    This year’s summit with the theme ‘Understanding and Stimulating Legislative Roles and Responsibility in Achieving the Sustainable Goals in Nigeria,’ is a 2-day Summit organised in partnership with 1stDevHub Nigeria and other relevant international development and SDGs Advocate.  
     
    According to the Accountable Manager of Dana Air, Mr Obi Mbanuzuo, ‘’we are proud to have been announced as choice airline for this year’s summit and as always; we will give our best to provide a comfortable and hitch-free flight services to all the delegates.’’
     
    Commenting on the initiative,  Mrs Christina Ude, Consultant to the House Committee on the SDGs and Team Lead expressed delight at the partnership and that “the world today is more interconnected than ever before and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can only be realized with a strong commitment to national and global partnership” she said.  
     
    Speaking further , 1st DevHub Nigeria’s Senior Partner and Coordinator of the Summit, Kenneth Nwokoro mentioned that this year’s Summit is focused on improving Legislators understanding of the SDGs and how their roles impact on the attainment of the Goals in Nigeria. He stated  that Mr Thomas Gass, United Nations Assistant Secretary General for Economic and Social Affairs is confirmed as the keynote speaker, Professor Kevin Urama of the African Development Bank, Abidjan will chair the event while His Excellency, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is expected as the distinguished Guest of Honour.
     
    Dana Air is the only domestic airline to have undergone an operational audit conducted by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA) and its foreign partners, The Flight Safety Group. The airline operates daily flights from Lagos to Abuja, Port Harcourt, Uyo and Owerri

  • Dana Air begins daily flights between Lagos, Owerri

    •  Sets N12, 600 as introductory fare
    Dana Air has commenced daily flights from Lagos to Owerri with an introductory online fare of N12,600 one way. The airline currently operates daily flights to Abuja, Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Uyo and is set to extend its operations to other cities in Nigeria as part of its strategic route expansion plans. 
    The Accountable Manager of Dana Air, Mr Obi Mbanuzuo, while addressing newsmen in Lagos, said the airline is committed to providing safe, reliable and pocket friendly service to the flying public. Obi also expressed appreciation to the airlines’ guests, partners and other stakeholders in the aviation industry for their support and patronage, and advised them to take advantage of the online fare, which he said was part of the airlines’ way of appreciating its teeming guests for their loyalty on the airline’s existing route network.
    “We commenced daily flights from Lagos to Owerri and back with an online fare we feel will be suitable for all. The fare is just our way of thanking our loyal guests on Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Uyo routes for visiting our website daily to book their tickets.’’ 
    Obi while also explaining the reason behind the choice of Owerri, said: “Owerri is fast becoming a hub in Nigeria and our decision was borne out of our desire to extend our award winning service to the good people of Owerri, the Imo state capital.
    Speaking on the airlines’ route and fleet expansion plans, Obi said: “Plans are in top gear to add to our fleet and we are in talks with our local and foreign partners to see ways to fast track this. We are also aware of the demand for extension of our world-class services to more Nigerian cities and the west coast, and wish to state that plans are underway to expand our route network in the coming month in line with our growth plan.”
    He assured guests of the airline that Dana Air will continue to invest in training and retraining of its Pilots, Engineers and other Technical staff and also contribute to capacity building in the industry. ‘We can boast of having some of the best hands in the industry and the feedback from our guests is positive. We will continue to invest in training and retraining of our Captains, Engineers and Technical staff to in order to keep the standards.’’
    However, the airline expressed displeasure over some of the challenges facing domestic airlines like the rise in fuel price, multiple charges, and high exchange rate among other issues.
    “One of the issues domestic airlines  are faced with is multiple charges. If these charges can be merged or eliminated, it will help the present situation of airlines. As it stands, airlines pay a statutory charge, which is fine, but some other charges, which the airlines need to grapple with, are not even applicable in other climes.’’
    Presently, airlines peg fares in Naira and have to pay for necessary maintenance in hard currency, Obi added. Commenting further, Obi said, “For us as an airline, we are concerned about providing affordable regional air transport services and we will be happy if the government can enter favorable agreements and create policies that will favor domestic airlines so that the burden is reduced on the flying public.”
    “Dana Air’s vision remains  ‘to be recognized and respected as Nigeria’s most reliable and customer-friendly airline’ and her mission is ‘to earn the loyalty and respect of our customers by consistently demonstrating our commitment to service, and providing affordable regional air transport services that focus on innovation, quality and service excellence’’ he assured.
  • Dana Air Unveils Exciting Package for Frequent Flyers

    Dana Air Unveils Exciting Package for Frequent Flyers

    • Wins City Peoples’ Airline of the year Award
    Dana Air has announced that frequent flyers on its entire route network – Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Uyo and Accra, will earn double Miles when they register for its frequent flyer programme and book their tickets before  June, 18  for travel from June 1, 2016  till June, 30  2016.  
    According to the airline,  frequent flyers will earn double miles based on their class of tickets while registered members of its frequent flyer program, stand a chance of getting a spot upgrade to business class, whenever they fly economy this June. 
    The Accountable Manager of Dana Air, Mr Obi Mbanuzuo, said the airline is considering more offers to make this summer exciting for its guests. ‘’ We understand what the travel desire of our guests will be in the months to come and we are reviewing with the objective to offer more exciting packages and rewards to our guests.’’ He said the essence of the spot upgrade is for members of Dana Miles to experience the world-class hospitality that typifies its Business Class cabin.
    Meanwhile, the airline has received another laurel, having been recognized as Airline of the Year at the 19th edition of the City People Awards for Excellence at The Lekki Coliseum, Lagos.
    According to the Publisher and Editor – in- Chief of City People Media Group, Mr Seye Kehinde, “The City People Awards for Excellence, is an annual event meant to reward and celebrate deserving personalities and corporate organizations that excelled in their various areas of endeavor.” He said Dana Air  emerged winners for doing well in the aviation sector.
    Commenting on the award, The Accountable Manager of Dana Air, Mr Obi Mbanuzuo, said, ‘’we are honored to have received this award and are happy that our efforts in providing quality customer and in-flight service to our esteemed guests is being recognized.  We put our customers first in all we do and some of the online platforms recently  launched are just our way of ensuring constant touch with our customers when they have enquiries, feedback or need updates on their Dana Miles account.” Obi said the airline remains fully committed to its vision which is to be recognized and respected as Nigeria’s most reliable and customer-friendly airline.
    Only recently, Dana Air bagged an award for service excellence in aviation at the 2016 Commerce and Industry Awards, organized by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry. 
  • Dana Air Partners Talentcity on First- Ever Sky Seminar in Nigeria

    Dana Air Partners Talentcity on First- Ever Sky Seminar in Nigeria

    Nigerian carrier, Dana Air; has announced that it will be partnering Talentcity Billionaire College ltd, for the pilot  edition of the first-ever sky seminar scheduled to hold in June, 2016.

    The post Billionaire Christian Conference mentorship program, designed to raise entrepreneurial giants, revive the unending business spirit among Christians, and build a city that will ride above limitation: a city without poverty.

    Commenting on the partnership, Dana Air’s accountable Manager, Mr Obi Mbanuzuo said: “this partnership between Talentcity and Dana Air is unique. This is the first- ever sky seminar and we are proud to be part of this epoch- making event.’’ Obi advised prospective candidates to take advantage of the opportunity that Talentcity is offering them.

    According to the President of the College, Mr. Olatayo Ajiboye, “we are taking 140 potential billionaire Christians to the sky for a sky seminar, in-flight inspiration and revelations. These participants will be selected through a rigorous screening exercise to enable us raise an army of Christian entrepreneurs in an unusual environment that will dominate the global economy with their wealth and wisdom through the power of God.’’

    Speaking further,  Olatayo said, there will be a fundraising in May, while the sky seminar will come up on the 10th of June, 2016.  He noted that the funds realized at the event, which will have top government functionaries, Kingdom giants, and captains of industry in attendance, will be used to sponsor the participants.

    ‘’Interested participants are expected to have leadership qualities, be interested in building organizations, developing global community, interpersonal relationship, and must have kingdom orientation and mentality.’’

    Olatayo while urging candidates to visit SkyThought for more information and registration, appealed to corporate bodies to support the initiative. Our mission is to raise Christian entrepreneurs that will build visionary organizations across the length and breadth of the global community’’ he said.

  • Dana Air bags LCCI’s award for service excellence in aviation

    Dana Air bags LCCI’s award for service excellence in aviation

    In recognition of its exceptional customer service, innovative online products and ethical business practices in 2016, Dana Air has bagged the award for service excellence in aviation, during Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI)’s 2016 Commerce and Industry Awards, held recently at Shell Hall, Muson Centre, Onikan Lagos.

    The Commerce and Industry Awards is a yearly award ceremony, organized by the (LCCI), to recognize, celebrate, and promote private and public institutions who have exhibited the core values of best business practices, growth through innovations, and business sustainability.

    According the Director- General of LCCI, Mr. Muda Yusuf, “The Commerce and Industry Awards is a credible platform where winners emerge through a painstaking selection process from hundreds of entries supported by robust research and market intelligence.”

    Commenting further, he said, “We are celebrating corporate organizations and public institutions that have made remarkable contribution to the development Commerce and industry and the economy at large.

    While receiving the award on behalf of the company, the Accountable Manager of Dana Air, Mr Obi Mbanuzuo, thanked the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the recognition. He stated that the LCCI is a very credible organization and the award is a challenge to maintain the standards and excellence which Dana Air has come to be known for.

    “We are delighted to have emerged winners in the aviation category. For us at Dana Air, this is a challenge not just to maintain the standards we have come to be known for, but to continue to review our services to meet and surpass the flying aspirations of our teeming guests.”

    Obi, while dedicating the award to the Dana Air team, thanked the airlines’ customers for their loyalty and commitment.  He said, ‘’ our customers deserve the very best in service delivery and we are focused on providing exceptional value for our customers through amazing and rewarding products and services.”

    Dana Air is one of Nigeria’s leading airlines, operating over 27 daily flights to Accra, Abuja, Lagos Port-Harcourt and Uyo. The airline is reputed for its efficient customer services, world- class in-flight services, on-time departures and arrivals, innovative e-airline products and high safety and quality standards.

  • Dana Air opens more points of sale in Accra

    • Partners more Banks for book on hold 

    Dana Air has introduced more point of sales and contact centres for customers in Accra.

    The spokesman of the airline, Mr Kingsley Ezenwa disclosed on Monday.

    According to Ezenwa the new move is aimed at ensuring accessibility and seamless process of ticket booking and payment.

    The airline, he also said is in talks with four more banks for its Book on Hold payment option.

    Speaking on the development, Dana Air’s Accountable Manager, Mr Obi Mbanuzuo, said the airline strategically opened the offices at Liberty Avenue Adabraka and Cornestone Arcarde, Mensah Woos Street, East Legon.

    The decision of the offices locations were based on the demands of its passengers and the need for the airline to have multiple payment options and outlets for passengers.

    Commenting further, Obi said: “Apart  from Guarantee Trust Bank, Zenith Bank and United Bank for Africa; we are also in talks with Access Bank, Fidelity Bank, UMB and Barclays Bank for book on hold payments. 

     All our guests need to do is just to book their tickets on our website and then make payments at any of the listed banks within 12 hours.”

    He urged frequent flyers to register for the airlines’ frequent flyer program – Dana Miles and take advantage of the multiple benefits that will follow and also expect more amazing packages in the months to come.

    Only recently, Dana Air launched a promo tagged, “Show your loyalty’’ which entails guests to fly five times and get a free ticket on any of its route- Accra, Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Uyo.

     The airline is reputed for its world-class in-flight service, superior on-time performance and innovative online

  • Dana air begins daily low cost flights from Lagos to Accra

    Dana air begins daily low cost flights from Lagos to Accra

    As part of its ongoing domestic route network expansion plans, Dana Air has commenced daily flights from Lagos to Accra. The addition of Accra brings the current route network of the airline to five destinations – Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Uyo and Accra.
    According to the Accountable Manager of Dana Air, Mr. Obi Mbanuzuo, “business and leisure travelers to the beautiful city of Accra in Ghana, will experience the Dana Air -hospitality as we extend our operations to the cosmopolitan city of Accra.

     

    “We are working with the objective of integrating other cities from Accra into our route network and making air transport accessible by developing new routes and linking same to our existing routes.”
    He stressed that, with Dana Air’s far-reaching domestic route network in Nigeria, guests arriving Lagos from Accra will also benefit from a choice of onward connections from Lagos to Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Uyo.”
    Speaking further Obi said: Accra is a preferred destination for Nigerian businessmen and women and Dana Air’s foray into the city will further boost investments in the city and deepen the bilateral relationship between the two countries.”

     

    He noted that Dana Air’s daily flights to Accra will bring options, comfort and relief to its teeming guests who have been longing for an airline with superior on-time performance and world-class in-flight service.”

     

    The airline has also set an introductory online fare of N22,000 to boost leisure and business trips from Lagos to Accra.
    Only recently, Dana Air marked its 7th anniversary announcing more customer-friendly initiatives like online check-in, frequent flyer program for loyal guests and was also recently unveiled as one of the 100 most respected companies in Nigeria by BusinessDay.
    The airline is the only domestic airline to have undergone an operational audit conducted by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and its foreign partners – flight safety group.