Barely three weeks after a temporary suspension of operations, First Nation Airways (FNA) has resumed all its scheduled flights.
In a press statement issued in Lagos, an official in the airline’s corporate affairs department, Mr. Rasheed Yusuff said: “We are delighted to inform you that our operation is back. Flight commenced on Sunday, September 18, 2016 with very strong passenger demand despite the break.
“This patronage reinforces the strength of our brand and the quality of our service. We received ground swell of support from the flying public during our maintenance break and this tremendous support has been humbling experience to all of us at First Nation.”
He added that since the airline launched operations in 2013, it has built a respectable followership and rated consistently as market leader on safety standard and schedule integrity on the routes that we serve.
“This reputation was reinforced by First Nation’s achievement of International Air Transport Association (IATA) Operational Safety Audit(IOSA) certification; the airline industry global bench mark for world class safety standard) in 2015 within record time of 12 months.
“The achievement of IOSA certification by First Nation in 12 months of application remains unrivaled in West and Central Africa,” said Yisuff.
FNA suspended operations on September 2, 2016 barely 24 hours after Aero shut down scheduled services.
While reacting to the suspension of operations, FNA had stated: “First Nation is currently undergoing maintenance on A319 fleet. This maintenance exercise will be completed on or before September 15, 2016. The airline planned the maintenance well ahead, notified passengers and flights are currently loaded online effective September 15, 2016.”
“This will ensure that passengers continue to enjoy safe and reliable service that the airline is reputed for. Current foreign exchange constraint, coupled with over 70 percent devaluation of Naira partly contributed in no small measure to the development. The airline’s plan remains on track to reinstating service as advised herein.”
