Press Releases

Speech delivered by Jacky Hathiramani, CEO Dana Airlines Limited, at the media launch and unveiling of Dana Air on 08-08-08.Today, we unveil our long-standing passion and commitment to service; today we unveil to Nigerians, our commitment to deliver the best of world-class air safety, in-flight service, and customer-satisfaction. But before I go any further, I would like to respectfully recognize and appreciate, the Director General NCAA, Dr. Demuren. Also, we would like to welcome the Managing Directors of FAAN, NAMA and Diamond Bank. We welcome our very important partners: Boeing and Iberia, whose representatives flew in last night to be here with us today.

We also have with us, the leading media houses and aviation journalists whom we are most happy to welcome in our midst.

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome!
Welcome to the launch of Nigeria’s newest airline!
Welcome to DANA Air!
Welcome to “The Smartest Way to Fly”

On this very auspicious day, we wish to announce OUR plans to give Nigerians a totally innovative and refreshing, customer-oriented flying experience, which will offer premium services at the best value.

Part of our initial steps involved creating a very robust business plan with the assistance of top aviation consultants from across the world. Along with the help of Boeing, our plan aided us to shortlist the type of aircraft to fly domestically and on West African routes.

The results of our business planning, along with the ever changing aviation industry, demonstrates there is a call for new airlines – and Dana Air will play an important part here. Our dream is now coming true and we thank the Lord for creating this opportunity.

Our Vision is to “be recognised and respected as Nigeria’s most reliable and customer friendly airline”, and this we will achieve with a mission to persistently provide high levels of customer satisfaction throughout our route network, by remaining competitive, reliable, innovative and passionate about our service.

From the moment the concept was created by our Group Chairman in 2005, we have aspired to be an airline of choice for the travelling public, and our team of aviators share our passion to fly and serve. We are fully aware and understand the magnitude of what we are taking onboard and are determined to take up the challenge and empower our people to turn these aspirations into reality.

Our smart, confident and determined personnel have been recruited for their passion to succeed and to offer the Nigerian public a better choice. We are committed to investing in training so that we may offer the highest levels of safety and service at all times.

Our fleet comprises Boeing MD83 aircrafts. We are putting into service these Boeing aircrafts so as to offer the right product for today’s air traveller with a higher number of passenger seats and a larger cargo capacity than currently available. The airline will offer a two class service, with 12 seats in our dedicated “Smart Class” business cabin, and 128 seats in our spacious Traveller class economy cabin.

With Dana Air, passengers will experience convenience through online booking facilities, make use of the new and comfortable surroundings at the MMA2 Terminal in Lagos, and will be able to enjoy our superior in-flight service whilst relaxing in plush leather seats in both business and economy classes.

Our operations will launch serving the crucial Lagos – Abuja route by offering a shuttle service from inception. With our first passenger aircraft on the ground today, and the second one expected to arrive within the next two weeks. The last quarter of this year will see the entry into service of two more Boeing aircrafts. At that time we plan to add to our routes the cities of Kano and Port Harcourt, we will be strategically positioned to uphold our mission and our promise to deliver.

We are already in discussions with Boeing to order brand new aircrafts, and by the end of 2009 we plan to have a total of 9 aircrafts serving key destinations throughout the country and to regional locations.

Complimentary to our passenger services we will also be launching in the very near future our premium VIP charter service – Dana Jets. We have already taken delivery of a brand new Bombardier Learjet, a business jet with capacity for 9 passengers and have also placed further orders for larger brand new business jets for delivery at the end of next year.

We are positioning not just to be another airline but one to make a difference. We are determined to constantly improve our services to our passengers. We are committed to the development of the aviation industry. We will embrace economic growth and promote tourism, and most importantly we will offer our passengers a superior level of service, consistent safety and a simplified flying experience. We are resourced with a team of dedicated professionals with the passion to succeed by working together to offer what we believe is “The Smartest Way to Fly”.

I would like to thank my family especially my wife, Amisha, for their undivided support. To everyone present here today, thank you for coming. By the special Grace of God I look forward to personally serving you onboard our aircrafts in the very near future.