NCAA Director-General Summons Airline CEOs Over Persistent Flight Delays and Cancellations
The Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Chris Najomo, has scheduled a crucial meeting with the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of all domestic airlines in Nigeria. The meeting, set for Friday, aims to address the growing concerns over frequent flight delays and cancellations during the festive season.
This development was disclosed by the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, via his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Thursday.
Passengers’ Frustration Mounts
Achimugu shared a personal account of a chaotic scene he encountered while trying to board a flight. According to him, passengers, frustrated by prolonged delays, were on the verge of violence.
“I walked into the scene this evening while trying to catch a flight myself. Passengers were really angry and threatened to become violent,” he stated.
To de-escalate the tension, Achimugu took it upon himself to engage with the passengers directly. He explained the situation, including the potential role of adverse weather conditions, and clarified that airlines are not liable in cases of force majeure.
Immediate Interventions
In an effort to address passengers’ grievances, Achimugu implemented immediate measures to alleviate their discomfort:
- Transportation: He ensured the airline provided transport for stranded passengers back to the Central area.
- Accommodation: Recognizing the exhaustion of elderly passengers, he personally covered the cost of accommodation at Peace Media Hotel for those who appeared too weak to continue waiting.
- Compensation and Refunds: Achimugu negotiated with the airline to offer 50% compensation to affected passengers and arranged refunds for those who preferred them. Passengers were also given the option to receive the 50% compensation in cash instead of a rebate.
- Complaint Tracking: To further assist passengers, Achimugu shared the NCAA’s QR code for filing complaints and assured them of follow-up action if the airline failed to resolve their issues by the next morning.
NCAA’s Commitment to Accountability
Achimugu highlighted the NCAA’s recent announcement of enforcement actions against five domestic airlines, marking the first significant intervention by the Consumer Protection Department in over a decade.
The upcoming meeting with airline CEOs underscores the NCAA’s determination to hold operators accountable and improve service delivery.
A Call for Better Festive Season Planning
Flight delays and cancellations are a recurring issue during the festive season, often attributed to increased passenger demand, weather challenges, and operational inefficiencies. The NCAA’s proactive steps signal its commitment to ensuring that passengers’ rights are respected while urging airlines to improve planning and communication.
Passengers and industry stakeholders await the outcomes of Friday’s meeting, hoping for concrete measures to address the persistent challenges in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
