Dana Air has introduced a Boeing 738-700 airplanes to boost its fleet even as it begins gradual phasing out of its MD-83 aeroplanes on its fleet.

The addition of the Boeing 738-700 to its fleet will assist the airline to operate flights between Lagos and Abuja as part of the partnership between it and ASKY.

Speaking to journalists shortly before the arrival of the aircraft, Dana Air’s Chief Accountable Officer/ Chief Executive Officer, Obi Mbanuzuo expressed the company’s board and management’s delight on the acquisition of the new aircraft which, he noted, would enable it service its customers better.

He said: “We are glad to have been able to review our service to meet the demands of our teeming guests and we are also excited to announce the addition of a Boeing 737-700 aircraft from our partners, ASKY to our fleet.

“Our route and fleet expansion plan is still on course and we are committed to maintaining our operational efficiency by providing seamless and world-class services to all at all times”, Mbanuzuo added.

He disclosed that both Dana and ASKY had reached a commercial agreement in which one airline can sell the other’s segments, and each will maintain its own code, allowing customers to easily identify the operating airline.

Mbanuzuo said the partnership was part of the carrier’s strategic route and fleet expansion programme.

He clarified further: “We have taken a bold step towards achieving our strategic route and fleet expansion programme. With this partnership, we shall be adding some brand new aircraft to our fleet soon.

“We have also had advanced talks with some other notable aircraft manufacturers and very soon, some of the aircraft outside the country on maintenance will be arriving. This is part of our desire to provide options for pour guests who have been requesting us to consider some under-served cities in Nigeria.

“We want to assure our guests of our commitment to providing safe, reliable, affordable and world-class air transport services in Nigeria”, the airline chief added.

This is even as he disclosed that the airline was at an advanced stage of codeshare agreement with some domestic and international carriers which had signified interest.

A codeshare agreement, also known as codeshare, is an aviation business arrangement in which two or more airlines share the same flight.

Sharing, in this sense, means that each airline publishes and markets the flight under its own airline designator and flight number as part of its published timetable or schedule.

Mbanuzuo explained that ordinarily, codeshare with domestic airlines should not be a problem if the partners play by the rules and ensure that they operate based on trust.