Med-View Air suspends Dubai operations over leasing contract default

• Restores Lagos-London services
Med-View Airlines Plc has suspended its Dubai operations.

This followed the temporary withdrawal of the operating aircraft and the lessor’s failure to provide an alternative.

The Guardian learnt that the aircraft, which was leased from Europe, fell short of the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) standard.

Its subsequent return had created a vacuum in the international operations of the flag carrier.

Meanwhile, the airline has announced the resumption of its Lagos-London operations.

This is coming after an alleged discrimination and sabotage by the ground handlers and authorities of the London Gatwick Airport in the UK.

Some of Med-view passengers from Dubai and London were at the weekend, stranded in Lagos due to the cancellation of their flights.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the airline, Muneer Bankole, confirmed the problem, which, he said, had since been resolved.

He said the problem was due to the challenges posed by the operating aircraft and the sabotage at the London airport.

Bankole explained that its European partner, Euro-Atlantic, which the said aircraft was leased from, had been unable to meet the airline’s requirement in providing the necessary capacity.

He hinted that resumption of Dubai operations would commence when its own aircraft, a Boeing 767-300ER christened “Abeke” returns from its complete refurbishment in the UK.