With everything going on with Nigeria, and businesses closing down due to the declining Nigerian economy, many issues have been unravelling from so many angles.

The oldest airline in Nigeria, Aero contractors, has pulled out of business as a result of the high cost of operations and Dana was suspended by the NCAA for an ongoing audit. The remaining functioning airlines have picked up their prices for obvious reasons.

The problem in the aviation sector is not unique to it. Other sectors are also currently suffering from the existing inflation rate and the weakening naira, and the CBN governor, Mr Godwin Emiefele is getting the heat.

Although there is no assurance that the suspension will be “indefinite”, an editorial was published by Vanguard Newspapers on July 26, 2022, with the headline “Dana Air’s indefinite suspension”.

The NCAA performed on their duties by shortlisting the airline for an audit, but the regulator has not disclosed the status or the result of the exercise.

The editorial also stated that other airlines like Arik, and Air Peace have maintained their safety record.

However, we have to acknowledge the issues that other airlines have been going through.

For instance on the 6th of November 2019, one of the airplanes at Air Peace, Nigeria’s biggest airline suffered engine failure while going to Owerri.

Azman, another airline also suffered an engine failure on the 4th of January 2019. Arik also made an emergency landing due to noisy engine, on the 13th of November 2016.

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Every Nigerian airline has had its fair share of unfortunate mishaps and incidents.

Dana air has also been suspended for auditing reasons. The safety and security of air travelers and cargo is said to be the ministry of aviation’s top concern.

This was said on Tuesday in an interview with NAN in Abuja by James Odaudu, the special assistant to the aviation minister for public affairs.

In order to increase the credibility and integrity of the nation’s aviation industry, Odaudu said the ministry and the organizations under its jurisdiction were working hard to accomplish the achievement.

His comment was in reaction to concerns about the licenses of Dana Air being revoked after it made an emergency landing last week due to an engine malfunction.

Most importantly, we need to remember that the Federal Government allowed three aircraft for takeoff by Nigeria Air just when domestic carriers were having trouble with the persistent and ridiculous high cost of operations, particularly the screaming cost of Jet A1.

Nigerian air is showing face now that private airlines are dying, and people do not know where this airline will get the really scarce and expensive Jet A1?

However, there may be concerns that the government wet-leasing aircraft for Nigeria Air right now could harm the nation. This concern is as a result of our depreciating currency and the lack of encouragement for other currency ventures like forex.

This venture is potentially at the detriment of other ventures, and perhaps the Federal Government needs to look into it. The Nigerian government needs to examine itself and provide all carriers an equal chance to compete.

While we all long for a national airline founded on clear values, people may also be concerned that if care is not taken, this action can affect other enterprises.