Mohammed Shosanya
The Acting Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA),Chris Najomo,has read riot act to domestic airline operators, expressing displeasure at the alarming reports of incessant delays, flight disruptions, and schedule changes without adequate notice to passengers.
He reiterated the need for airlines to improve their services as the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN) is determined to enforce his 5 point agenda as mandated by the president.
He stated that the current record of flight disruptions, poor customer experience and poor handling of passengers is unacceptable and must be improved upon.
He said that airlines must rejig their flight scheduled to match their number of serviceable aircraft and that airlines are all aware of the airports which have sunset operations.
He added:”Airlines must consider scheduling flights into sunset airports early in the day so as to minimize cancellations as a result of airport closure at sunset”
He emphasized that NCAA will ensure that airlines fulfil their obligations to passengers or face sanctions.
“Airlines must handle persons with reduced mobility properly, with dignity and without discrimination as airlines are mandated to provide facilities for the movement of Persons with reduced mobility and by virtue of the provisions of Nigeria Civil aviation regulations part 19, airlines are required to provide on their ticket portal a mandatory field for special needs assistance and require their agents to actively ask customers during ticket purchase if they will require assistance” he reiterated.
He maintained that “it is no longer business as usual as errant airlines will be sanctioned appropriately without fear or favor” noting that NCAA has stepped up its surveillance to monitor compliance with a view to fish out violators.
He reemphasized that the Authority will not relent in its commitment to ensuring pleasurable travel experience and comfort for air transport passengers. The Airlines present committed to work on all issues raised and make adjustments where necessary.
