Dana Air on Tuesday said it was waiting for relations of victims of its June 3 crash to come forward for a final conclusion on payment to be reached.
The airline’s head of corporate communications, Mr Tony Usidamen, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that claims would be concluded on a case-by-case basis, as claimants come forward.
“As at July 2, the airline had received completed insurance forms for 64 of the victims, four of which are our staff members.
“We are aware that most of the next of kins or legal representatives who submitted documents are yet to visit the Crisis Management Centre (CMC) for documentations.
“We believe the families are still observing the customary mourning period; insurance funds are already in place,’’ Usidamen said.
He said, however, that members of the families who had submitted relevant documents to the CMC in Lagos and Abuja had been contacted.
He advised victims’ families to visit the Chambers of Dana Air Solicitors in Nigeria for documentation and next of kin status, to allow for conclusion of advance payment formalities.
“Dana Air appreciates that the statutory payments cannot compensate for any of the precious lives lost in the accident, but we hope that it will lessen the pains of the families,’’ Usidamen said.
He reiterated the company’s readiness to pay the benefits due to the families of the crash victims in line with the International Civil Aviation Organisation and Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority regulations.
He said that the airline had deployed three dedicated toll-free lines to facilitate the payment process.
NAN reports that Lloyds of London is the insurance company designated to pay compensations to families of the victims of the Dana plane crash.
The accident occurred on June 3, at Iju-Ishaga area of Lagos, killing all 153 passengers and crew on aboard, as well as four others in the building the airplane crashed into.
The airline is mandated to pay interim compensation within 30 days of the crash in accordance with the Civil Aviation regulations. (NAN)