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Claim: Multiple online posts claim Dana Air and Azman Air have closed their operations and sacked all their staff.
Verdict: False! No credible media outlets have substantiated the rumour. Dana Air and Azman Air have also debunked it through their official social media channels, clarifying that they only temporarily pause operations for maintenance and audits.
Full Text
As Nigeria grapples with an economic crisis triggered by the government’s twin policies of removing petrol subsidies and unifying foreign exchange (FX) windows, the nation has witnessed the exodus of approximately 16 multinational companies over the past three years.
Amidst the hardship, Naija News on Facebook claims that Dana Air and Azman Air have closed their operations and sacked all their staff. The post had garnered 17,300 likes, 5,200 comments, and 1500 shares.
This claim has also spread across other platforms, including TikTok, X, Threads, and other Facebook pages here and here.
The viral nature of this post has sparked a wide range of reactions from the public, with many expressing dissatisfaction with the current administration. The comments section on the original Facebook post is filled with strong opinions.
For instance, Nlemadim, in the comments, wrote, “This is the consequence of electing unfit individuals into positions of leadership, and the tribesmen of Azman Air are part of the guilty ones because they hate anything Igbo. In 2027, we must continue to teach reasonable, sensible, capable Nigerians lessons because of tribalism, ethnicity, religion, and partisanship.”
On the other hand, some users have questioned the authenticity of the claims. Mercy James, another commenter, expressed scepticism about the post and wrote, “Where is the evidence? Una go just write nonsense just for the clicks.”
Given the significant public interest and the potential implications of such claims, DUBAWA conducted an in-depth investigation to verify the accuracy of the information being circulated.
Verification
DUBAWA conducted an advanced keyword search to verify the claims across multiple credible news sources and found no reputable media organisations reporting on the alleged shutdown of Dana Air and Azman Air. The absence of such reports from established news outlets was the first indication that the claim might be false.
The closest report on Azman Air was Aug. 12, 2024, with the headline “Azman Air suspends flight operations, asks staff to proceed on leave without pay.”
Further investigation on the Azman Air social media pag revealed that the airline did not close its operation but is finalising the maintenance of two of its aircraft.
In a statement revealed on X, the accountability manager noted that the temporary pause in services was necessary to ensure the highest safety and reliability standards for the passengers.
Dana Air’s Instagram page also verified that it is temporarily undergoing a safety and financial audit. They hinted at cooperation with the authorities to resolve the situation as soon as possible.
Conclusion
The claim that Azman Air and Dana Air have closed down their operations in Nigeria is false. They are both undergoing temporary safety maintenance and financial audits.
