- The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority says 190 flights in the country were cancelled within two months
- NCAA said though flight disruptions are inevitable, the poor management of such is condemnable
- It reiterated that passengers’ rights and obligations are mandatory for all operators
The acting Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Chris Najomo, has expressed concern over the spate of flight cancellations.
Najomo, while delivering his speech at the Airlines-NCAA engagement event on Friday, December 27, disclosed that not less than 190 flights were cancelled within two months.
He condemned the spate of flight disruptions and the poor management of such in the country.
Najomo reiterated the NCAA Regulations on Passenger Rights during disruptions, noting that passengers’ rights and obligations are not optional but mandatory for all operators.
The acting DG disclosed that out of 5,291 flights operated in September 2024, 2,434 were delayed while 79 were cancelled, and out of 5,513 flights operated in October 2024, 2,791 were delayed while 111 flights were cancelled.
“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.
“Our flight operations data record indicates that in September 2024, 5,291 domestic flights were operated with 2,434 delays and 79 cancellations. In October 2024, 5,513 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 (that) these regulations are not optional; they are mandatory obligations,” he said.
NCAA imposes fines on airlines over delayed passengers’ luggage
Meanwhile, TheRadar reported that the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) imposed fines of $170 and N10,000 on foreign and domestic airlines over delayed passengers’ luggage, respectively.
The NCAA said the measure is in keeping with the implementation of the passenger bill of rights, which ensures that passengers are fully compensated whenever airlines compromise their standard of service, as contained in the passenger bill of rights in the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulation (NCAR).
