Dana denies paying celebrities on its ‘welcome back’ flight

Dana’s inaugural flight was packed with celebrities.

Barely two days after Dana Air’s inaugural flight in 2013 left the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, en-route Abuja, packed with celebrities, journalists and some passengers, the airline came under a barrage of attacks.

Dana’s operations were suspended in June last year after one of its planes crashed in Lagos killing all 153 passengers on board and more on the ground.

With comedians- Buchi and Basket Mouth, who also doubles as the brand’s ambassador- and musicians- Harrisong, and Dipp- on board, speculations were high that the airline had paid these celebrities to be a part of the ‘come back’ flight.

Reacting to the allegations via their Facebook page, the airline claimed that no single passenger on the flight was paid.

“Our attention has been drawn to some online media reports suggesting that celebrities BasketMouth, DIPP, Harrysong, and Buchi, who were among guests on board the Dana Air inaugural flight of Friday, 4th January, 2013, boarded the airplane for financial gains.

“We would like to state that these claims are completely untrue. Like all other esteemed guests of the airline, many of which are notable personalities from Nigeria’s entertainment scene, these celebrities have always been a part of the Dana Air family,” the airline said.

Dana said the celebrities’ decision to be part of the airline’s re-launch was “purely out of goodwill, having personally experienced the unrivalled hospitality and world-class services offered by the airline many times before.”

“We also want to use this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation to all our guests, many of whom have sent congratulatory messages and best wishes on the airline’s return, while pledging our commitment to the provision of safe, reliable and world-class air transport services,” Dana said.