The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, Mr Michael Achimugu disclosed that will be a better year for aviation in Nigeria as per flight disruptions as more aircraft are coming in.
Speaking in Lagos during an interview at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport MMIA Lagos, Achimugu said this is because deals have been signed already.
He said the number of disruptions as at last week has improved compared to the last quarter of last year.
He however observed that since the country is entering the rainy season, there’s an expectation that there will be disruptions.
Achimugu stated further that: “Take note that there are other factors that cause these disruptions. And recently, the Minister hosted the Aircraft Acquisition Summit and the report from that, the result from that event is very encouraging”.
He maintained that they are making good use of the NCAA portal.
He said: “Although there are some passengers who find it difficult to navigate the portal when they don’t fill all the mandatory fields. So they are unable to submit. That’s why we still have the emails working and then, of course, social media”.
On the report of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC’s, Executive Vice Chairman, Tunji Bello, that airlines that exploited travellers during Christmas would refund the excess charges to passengers, the NCAA Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection explained that
FCCPC did not submit reports to his office.
“So I don’t know what they found out. All I know is that in December, I disagreed with the reason for the hike in airfares as stated that by some operators. You know, they allegedly that it was due to taxes. I didn’t agree with that and I still stand by that”.
On passengers growth, Achimugu noted that the numbers are impressive and encouraging, adding that immediately after the festive period, there was a drop in the number of passengers.
