The Nigerian government is tackling the persistent problem of flight delays and cancellations, especially during the festive season. The Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Chris Najomo, has scheduled a meeting with the CEOs of all domestic airlines to address these issues.
This meeting, set for Friday, underscores the NCAA’s commitment to resolving passenger complaints. Najomo even cut short an important assignment to ensure the matter receives urgent attention.
Michael Achimugu, the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, shared the update on social media. He recounted his personal experience with flight delays and highlighted steps being taken to improve the situation.
Recently, the NCAA announced plans to take action against five airlines for failing to meet passenger expectations. According to Achimugu, this is the first time in over 10 years that the NCAA’s Consumer Protection Department is enforcing such measures.
“I walked into the scene this evening while trying to catch a flight myself. Passengers were really angry and threatened to become violent.
“I personally addressed them and engaged for about 20 minutes, explaining that I would confirm from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMET, if the weather was truly bad. I also explained that the airline does not have liability in the event of force majeure,” he said.
To ensure accountability, the NCAA has partnered with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) for daily weather reports. This initiative will help verify claims by airlines that cite weather conditions as reasons for delays.
“I insisted that the airline provide transportation back to the Central area for all passengers. I paid for nearby accommodation (Peace Media Hotel) for a few elderly passengers who looked too weak after the lengthy wait.
“The airline agreed to pay 50 per cent compensation to the passengers and agreed to also refund those who sought a refund. “I told the passengers that they could redeem that 50 per cent by cash rather than rebate if they wanted.
“I opened my phone and let as many passengers as possible to scan the NCAA QR code for passengers complaints, and told them to contact me if the airline fails to resolve their complaints by tomorrow morning,” Achimugu explained.
In a remarkable display of concern, Achimugu revealed that he personally used part of his salary to assist passengers owed refunds by a struggling airline.
With these efforts, the NCAA aims to protect passengers and ensure a smoother travel experience during the festive season.
