- Senate demanded answers from the Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo and airline operators on the growing issue of flight delays in Nigeria
- Lawmakers urged Keyamo to enforce regulations to protect passengers from the negative impact of flight disruptions
- The Senate further emphasised the critical role of air travel in Nigeria’s economy and the urgent need for accountability from airline operators
The Nigerian Senate has directed the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, and airline operators to appear before it for questioning about the current issues with flight delays and cancellations in Nigeria.
The call for the appearance came after a motion was moved on Wednesday, December 4, by Abdulfatai Buhari, who chairs the Senate Committee on Aviation.
Senate urges immediate action on flight delays, cancellations
“The Senate recognises that this situation is troubling, particularly since air travel plays a vital role in the timely execution of business and official engagements,” Buhari stated.
In presenting his motion, Buhari highlighted the escalating issue of flight delays and cancellations, stressing their negative impact.
He called attention to various media reports that exposed the continuous flight delays and cancellations by Nigerian airlines, warning that such disruptions were damaging to the nation’s socio-economic advancement.
Buhari pointed out that air travel is a vital and efficient means of transportation, often essential for business, official responsibilities, and time-critical engagements. Unnecessary delays and cancellations, he argued, are counterproductive to the country’s development.
Senate urges NCAA to enforce regulations, hold airlines accountable
He added that, according to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Act, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has the authority to supervise the aviation industry and guarantee that airline operators uphold international standards and deliver equitable services to customers.
The Senate noted that efforts to diversify the economy and secure foreign direct investment could be negatively affected if Nigeria's aviation sector fails to meet global best practices.
The lawmakers noted that Part 19 of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority Regulations of 2023 deals with consumer protection within the aviation industry, yet enforcement remains problematic.
The lawmakers remarked that many Nigerians are unaware of their right to receive compensation for delays, and called on the NCAA to enforce the regulations and hold airline operators accountable.
The Senate, after discussions, called on Keyamo, the NCAA Director-General, airline operators, and other involved stakeholders to address the issue.
Senate approves 2025-2027 MTEF/FSP, pegs exchange rate at N1,400 per dollar
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Senate approved the 2025-2027 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and the Fiscal Strategy Paper.
Some of the key assumptions and projections of the framework are an exchange rate of N1,400/$, oil prices and production benchmark, and GDP growth rates.