PH Passengers Shun Dana Airline

Passengers using the Port Harcourt International Airport still shun Dana Air, Operators of the Dana Airline that crashed last year killing all 153 persons on board.
The attitude of air passengers towards the airline shows that travellers are still recounting the unfortunate incident despite the restoration of operational licence to Dana Air by the Federal government.
Some passengers who spoke to The Tide, Aviation Correspondent said the incident is fresh in the minds of people and would take a while to be forgotten.
Miss Lizzy Etenah who arrived Port Harcourt Airport by 1.50pm, preferred to wait for three hours for another airline rather than board Dana aircraft billed for departure in less than 40 minutes.
According to her, “the fear of Dana air is the beginning of wisdom”, I don’t care how long it takes me to wait and how much to pay, for me the airline is no go area and my parents emphasised on it”.
Another traveller who simply gave his name as Mr. Johnson, explained that people are still nursing the Phobia of the air disaster and the fact that one year after victims of the unfortunate incident are yet to be compensated.
The Tide learnt that the airline reduced its price by 50 per cent to attract patronage but passengers are still skeptical and reluctant to patronise them except for those that missed their flights or are in a hurry.
However, a passenger on board Dana aircraft from Lagos who would not want his name in print said he goes for Dana Air when others are fully booked and thanked God for journey mercies.
Although, he explained that the trip was smooth and pleasurable but the fear of last year’s incident keeps reoccurring in his mind inspite of concerted efforts to push the thought aside, adding that on board there were many empty seats.
The Tide further gathered that other airlines charge between N35,000 and N36,000 for Lagos and Abuja trips while Dana airline tickets goes for N15,000 as a way of attracting customers back to its fold.
An official of the airline urged customers to put the incident behind them and fly the airline because things have changed. “Our operations have witnessed significant improvement and those that board our aircrafts can testify to the efficient service delivery.