First Nation to start flying September 15, refutes fold up claim

FirstNation Airways has again denied reports that it is at the verge of folding up, stating that the act of taking aircraft out for maintenance is not the same as winding up operations.

A statement by the Head, Corporate Affairs of the airline, Rasheed Yusuff disclosed that the carrier’s current fleet is undergoing engine maintenance, adding that global airlines have had cause to ground larger aircraft fleet types to enhance safety across the globe in the past.

His words, “FirstNation is NOT on the verge of folding up. In reality, since the airline launched services in 2011, we have built a strong followership and have been rated consistently as market leader on safety and schedule integrity.”

“This reputation was reinforced by FirstNation’s achievement of IOSA certification (the airline industry global bench mark for world class safety standard) in record time of twelve months.”

Yusuff further stated that the award of IOSA certification, within 12 months of application by FirstNation remains unrivalled in West and Central Africa.

He noted that this international attestation of FirstNation’s safety and operational standard is contrary to the false and damaging impression that Sahara Reporters and other media attempted to paint in the publication dated September 01, 2016.

He noted that what happened was a planned maintenance and orderly arranged with advance notification to passengers, stressing that service would be reinstated on or before September 15, 2016.

“We are working to grow the fleet as well. All our aircraft have recently undergone C-Check and RETURNED contrary to the blatant lies contained in the said publication. We currently have no aircraft undergoing C-Check anywhere in the world. Our first fleet of A320 were orderly returned to the Lessor and we maintained good relationship with the Lessor.”

“Your correspondent should have, at least, contacted us to get our side of the story rather than rushing to Press with a biased, slanderous and damaging story. We hereby request for retraction of your story and publication of this rejoinder giving it the same level of prominence”, he added.