Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has vowed to impose stiff sanctions on domestic airlines following several flight disruptions, with 5,225 delays and 190 cancellations reported over the past two months.
NCAA said 190 domestic flights were cancelled while 5,225 delays were delayed between September and October 2024.
At a stakeholders’ meeting with airline operators titled: “Finding lasting solutions to flight disruption,” held in Lagos, the acting director-general of NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo, said 10,804 flights were operated between the two months.
LEADERSHIP Weekend reports that there have been a series of chaos at airports across the country over flight delays and cancellations by local airlines.
According to Najomo, airlines should trim their schedules, and provide information to passengers about flight delays and cancellations early enough to plan their schedule accordingly.
“Our flight operations data record indicates that in September, 2024, 5,291 flights were operated with 2,434 delays and 79 cancellations. In October, 2024 5513 flights were operated with 2,791 delays and 111 cancellations recorded. I must remind all operators of the NCAA Regulations on Passenger Rights during disruptions, as outlined in the Nigeria Civil Aviation (Consumer Protection) Regulations, 2023. These regulations are not optional; Passengers are promptly informed of schedule changes, delays or cancellations.
“Accommodation, refreshments, and alternative travel arrangements are offered when disruptions exceed the acceptable limits; adequate compensation is provided where applicable.
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“Non-compliance with these regulations will not be tolerated, and going forward, the NCAA will not hesitate to impose the necessary penalties where violations are observed. I have instructed my team to monitor and enforce compliance and apply sanctions.”
“You can trim your schedule and provide information as at when due. Refund when it’s approximate, two weeks should be two weeks and we will sanction those who go above two weeks,” the acting DG stated.
Capt. Najomo further stated that flight delays and cancellations have far-reaching implications for passengers, businesses, the credibility of the aviation industry and National development as a whole.
“When delays and cancellations occur, they disrupt plans, cause financial losses, and undermine passenger confidence in our aviation system.
Delays and cancellations are sometimes inevitable, but poor management of these disruptions is not. It is the responsibility of airlines to ensure that every disruption, whether due to operational, technical, or weather-related challenges, is handled with the utmost professionalism and regard for passengers’ rights. Particularly as we are in the harmattan season with poor weather conditions that will affect flight operations.”
While we acknowledge the challenges faced by airlines, including infrastructural limitations and operational constraints, these challenges should not come at the expense of the passengers.
“Airlines must invest in robust operational systems that can minimize avoidable delays; ensure transparency in communication with passengers during disruptions and strengthen contingency plans for emergencies or unforeseen circumstances,” he stated.
Also speaking, the managing director of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Olubunmi Kuku, demanded on time communication from airlines to passengers about flight cancellations or delays.
Kuku said on time information to passengers would help savage the situation, saying the authority has extended operations of some sunset airports in other to mitigate the current challenges.
She said, “ FAAN has extended operations of some airports in order to facilitate night landing. The sunset airports are in Owerri, Enugu. On time information is necessary whenever there are operational challenges such as weather or operational issues. So, better information and collaboration with passengers is important.”
Responding, the Chairman of Air Peace airline, Dr Allen Onyema, said flight delays and cancellations is mostly out of the control of airlines in Nigeria.
According to him, passengers should see it as force manure and the regulators should put a stop to unwarranted attacks on airline staff by Passengers whose flights were cancelled or delayed.
“Nigeria passengers should understand that cancellation is forced manure and it can be weather or operational and whatever it is, they should ensure rescheduling, they know the truth as they won’t do this outside the country,” Onyema started.
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