Dana Air has debunked a social media write-up that the engine of one its aircraft had exploded shortly before take-off, describing it as “obvious fake news”.
One Arch Angel Jesse Halliday had posted on Microblogging site X, formerly twitter that the aircraft of Dana Air exploded.
He wrote: “A Client called me after landing in Port Harcourt early Monday morning to tell me that the @DanaAir flight he had boarded from Lagos to Port Harcourt was smoking, I was skeptical. How could @DanaAir know their engine was smoking and yet fly that flight? I now believe that client after hearing about a Dana airplane engine exploding in Abuja.
“@DanaAir Stop doing what you’re doing!!! If you find anything wrong with your planes, Fix or repair anything before you board.
“@DanaAir Stop playing with the lives of Nigerians”.
However, the airline’s head of corporate communications, Kingsley Ezenwa in a press statement made available to the Thelensng urged members of the public to disregard the news.
A Client called me after landing in Port Harcourt early Monday morning to tell me that the @DanaAir flight he had boarded from Lagos to Port Harcourt was smoking, I was skeptical. How could @DanaAir know their engine was smoking and yet fly that flight?
I now believe that client… pic.twitter.com/2wptDF4KUg— Arch Angel Jesse Halliday 🇳🇬 🇬🇧 (@AaJessehalliday) November 22, 2023
Ezenwa explained that the airline only experienced some operational challenges and non-scheduled maintenance of aircraft which led to schedule disruption.
According to him, passengers on the affected flights were provided options, adding that the safety of staff and customers remains a top priority.
Read full statement below
Our attention has been drawn to an online post suggesting that one of our engines exploded shortly before takeoff.
Ordinarily, we wouldn’t have given such a baseless and unfounded post from the x handle the attention it is seeking, but for the benefit of enlightenment and our valued guests who have shown better understanding.
Today, the 22nd of November, 2023, we had some operational challenges and non-scheduled maintenance of our aircraft which led to the disruption of our schedule.
While passengers on the affected flights have been provided options and issues resolved, we are still wondering where this Twitter user got his fake news from.
At Dana Air, the safety of our staff and customers remains a top priority and we urge the public and discerning minds to disregard this fake news which is obviously attention-seeking and malicious.
