Nigerian aviation authorities have suspended Dana Air's licence after a flight operated by the commercial passenger carrier crashed in Lagos, killing at least 159 people, a spokesperson said Tuesday.

"We have suspended their operational licence in the aftermath of the crash.

"We have to look at their entire practice. ... They won't fly again until their re-certification is carried out," Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority spokesperson Sam Adurogboye told AFP, adding that the move was made Monday.

Dana Air spokesperson Tony Usidamen said he was not yet aware of the government's decision.

The aviation ministry also confirmed the action.

The licence was "suspended for a while to allow for a thorough audit of the airline," ministry spokesperson Joe Obi told AFP, adding that time was needed to assess the "air worthiness" of Dana's aircraft.

President Goodluck Jonathan, during a visit to the crash site on Monday, called the disaster a "setback" for Nigeria and vowed to ensure there would be no further crashes.

"By the end of the day, I will make sure that this will not repeat itself in the country."

Local media reported that the crash was Nigeria's worst since 1992, when a military C-130 went down after takeoff in Lagos, killing around 200 people on board.

There had been a number of other crashes with more than 100 victims over the past decade in Nigeria but the most recent was in 2005.