Rita Odafe
The Senate has called upon several key figures, including the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Festus Keyamo, and the DG of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Capt. Chris Najomo, along with airline representatives, to address ongoing issues of flight delays and cancellations.
This decision came after Senator AbdulFatai Buhari (APC Oyo North) proposed a motion during a plenary session, tasking the Senate’s Aviation Committee with investigating the root causes of these frequent flight disruptions to implement effective solutions.
A recent report revealed alarming statistics indicating that around 2,000 air travelers lost nearly 19,274 bags from January to June this year. Additionally, over 19,250 passengers experienced significant delays during this same timeframe, as noted in the Federal Government’s civil aviation report.
Senator Buhari expressed deep concern about the increasing frequency of these issues, highlighting their visibility in media reports. He emphasized the importance of air travel for business and personal commitments, warning that delays threaten socio-economic progress in the nation.
He remarked that the NCAA is tasked with regulating aviation standards to ensure a quality experience for airline customers, as established by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Act. He remarked that the ongoing push for economic diversification and investment could falter if the aviation sector does not adhere to international best practices.
Buhari referenced provisions within the 2023 NCAA regulations aimed at protecting consumer rights within Nigeria’s aviation industry. However, he noted that many travelers remain unaware of their entitlement to compensation for delays, indicating a need for the NCAA to actively enforce these consumer protections and ensure airlines fulfill their obligations.
