We did not pay BasketMouth, Buchi, others to board our inaugural flight – Dana

Dana airline has released a statement via their Facebook page dismissing claims the airline paid celebrities to board their inaugural flight on Friday.

The statement reads

“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.

*Basket Mouth

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. Their 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 air resumed flight operations again on Friday, seven months after one of it’s aircraft crashed and killed all 153 passengers and crew in Lagos, leading to a revocation of it’s operating license.