.. As NCAA imposes fines of $170, N10, 000 on foreign, local airlines for delayed passengers’ luggage
Nigerian Airlines delayed or cancelled 5,415 out of 10,804 operated from September to October 2024 representing 48 per cent of the total flights.
This development is coming just as the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), has threatened to impose sanctions in compliance with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs) 2022 (Consumer Protection) Regulations 2023.
Disclosing this during a meeting with indigenous airline operators at its office at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos, on Friday
Capt. Chris Najomo, the Ag. Director-General of Civil Aviation (ADGCA) stated about 5,225 of the flights total were delayed, while another 190 were cancelled.
According to him, in September, 5,291 domestic flights were operated by the airlines with 2,434 delays and 79 cancellations.
In October, 5,513 flights were operated with 2,791 delays and 111 cancellations among the domestic operators.
He maintained that various issues lead to flight delays and cancellations among airlines globally, but attributed most delays and cancellations among the nation’s carriers to poor management and planning.
The Ag. DG pointed out that Some of the causes of flight delays and cancellations are operational, technical, V.I.P movements or weather-related issues like harmattan, among others.
He also acknowledged the challenges faced by airlines, including infrastructural limitations and operational constraints, but declared that these challenges should not come at the expense of the passengers.
Najomo decried that flight delays and cancellations have imposed huge discomforts on passengers, businesses, credibility of the aviation industry and national development as a whole.
NCAA boss insisted that it behooves on the airlines to ensure that every disruption was well-handled with the utmost professionalism and regard for passengers’ rights.
He noted that the NCARs on Consumer Protection was not optional, but mandatory obligations.
Najomo restated that the regulations ensured that passengers are promptly informed of schedule changes, delays or cancellations, accommodation, refreshments, and alternative travel arrangements and other compensations, depending on the length of the delays.
He said: “Today, I wish to address a matter of increasing concern to our industry. Flight disruptions, delays and significant change to schedules and cancellations in Nigeria; this issue has far-reaching implications for passengers, businesses, the credibility of the aviation industry and National development as a whole.
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.
Adequate compensation is provided where applicable. 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”.
He continued that: “My team has engaged the industry in the last year by organising awareness, sensitisation and training sessions for the airlines and the association of travel agents to re-educate them on the provisions of the Nigeria Civil Aviation regulations and airline obligations to passengers in the event of disruptions.”
The DG noted that the airlines must invest in robust operational systems that could minimise avoidable delays, ensure transparency in communication with passengers during disruptions and strengthen contingency plans for emergencies or unforeseen circumstances.
Najomo also emphasised the commitment of the apex regulatory body in civil aviation in Nigeria to supporting airlines in overcoming operational challenges by identifying the root causes of delays and cancellations and to implement sustainable solutions.
This must be based on a mutual commitment to improving service delivery and upholding industry standards, he said
During the week, Mr. Michael Achimugu, the Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, NCAA, had issued a stern warning to defaulting airlines, threatening that the agency would carry out sanctions in compliance with the rules.
Achimugu, had also last month, vowed to implement to the letter the Part 19 of the NCARs in a bid to guide against passengers’ delayed luggage and other violations by airlines.
In compliance with the NCARs, the regulatory agency is imposing fines of $170 and N10, 000 on foreign and local airlines, respectively for delayed passengers’ luggage as a first measure.
Achimugu stated further that such delayed luggage must be delivered to the affected passenger on international routes within 21 days, while for local flights, it must be delivered within seven days.
“The little things about the regulations that the passengers need to know, for instance, if you arrive at an airport and your luggage didn’t arrive with you, most passengers do not know that they have a right to demand compensation from the airlines.
If it is a domestic flight, you can walk to the airline’s counter to demand for your N10,000 for not bringing your bag with you. For international flights, it is $170 dollars. A lot of passengers do not know this thing, but today, we are bringing an end to that circle of ignorance. We are bringing the regulations to Nigerians in an exciting manner”, the Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, NCAA, said.
