Aeesha's Blog

Category: Aviation

  • NCAA Decries Poor Handling of Passengers by Airlines

    The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has expressed concern over the poor treatment of passengers by some domestic airlines, warning that such practices undermine consumer confidence and violate established aviation regulations.

    The Director-General of the NCAA, Chris Najomo, made the position known in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, where he criticised recurring cases of flight delays, cancellations, and inadequate communication to passengers.

    Najomo noted that the authority had received a surge in complaints from air travellers regarding issues such as lack of timely information, refusal to provide care during extended delays, and poor customer service at airport terminals.

    He emphasised that airlines operating within Nigeria are bound by the NCAA Consumer Protection Regulations, which mandate proper handling of passengers, including prompt notification of disruptions, provision of refreshments, accommodation where necessary, and compensation in applicable cases.

    “The Authority will not tolerate any breach of passengers’ rights. Airlines must adhere strictly to the provisions of the regulations or face sanctions,” he said.

    According to him, the NCAA has intensified monitoring and enforcement measures to ensure compliance, adding that erring airlines would be penalised in line with extant laws.

    The NCAA boss further urged passengers to be aware of their rights and report any infractions through the Authority’s official complaint channels, assuring that all reports would be treated with urgency.

    He also called on airline operators to improve operational efficiency and customer relations, stressing that the aviation sector’s growth depends largely on public trust and service reliability.

    Industry stakeholders have, however, attributed some of the operational challenges to external factors, including fluctuating aviation fuel prices, airport congestion, and weather-related disruptions.

    Despite these challenges, Najomo insisted that airlines must not use such constraints as justification for neglecting passenger welfare.

    The NCAA reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the interests of air travellers while promoting a safe, secure, and efficient aviation industry in Nigeria.

  • Air Peace Attributes Flight Disruptions to Fuel Crisis, Seeks Passenger Patience

    Nigeria’s leading carrier, Air Peace, has attributed the recent disruptions in its flight operations to the ongoing aviation fuel scarcity across the country, appealing to passengers for understanding as efforts are intensified to stabilise services.

    The airline, in a statement issued on Saturday in Lagos, said the shortage of Jet A1 fuel had significantly affected its scheduling and operational efficiency, leading to delays and, in some cases, rescheduling of flights.

    Spokesperson of the airline, Mr Stanley Olisa, explained that the situation was not peculiar to Air Peace but a systemic challenge currently affecting the aviation sector nationwide.

    He noted that the fluctuating availability and high cost of aviation fuel had made it difficult for airlines to maintain seamless operations, despite their commitment to delivering safe and timely services.

    “The current disruptions in our flight operations are largely due to the scarcity of Jet A1 fuel being experienced across the country. This has impacted our ability to operate flights as scheduled,” Olisa said.

    He added that the airline was working round the clock with fuel suppliers and relevant stakeholders to mitigate the impact on passengers and restore normalcy as soon as possible.

    Olisa emphasised that safety remained the airline’s top priority, stressing that no flight would be operated under conditions that could compromise operational standards.

    The airline urged passengers to remain patient and cooperative, assuring them that updates on flight schedules would be communicated promptly through its official channels.

    Some passengers who spoke with the Source at the Murtala Muhammed Airport expressed frustration over delays but acknowledged the broader challenges facing the aviation industry.

    A traveller, Mrs Ifeoma Nwoye, said she had experienced a delay of over four hours, calling for better communication from airlines during such disruptions.

    Another passenger, Mr Sadiq Bello, urged the Federal Government to urgently address the recurring fuel supply issues to prevent further inconvenience to travellers.

    Industry analysts say the recurring scarcity of Jet A1 fuel has remained a major challenge for domestic airlines, often leading to increased airfares, operational disruptions and financial strain on operators.

    They called for strategic interventions, including improved local refining capacity and policy support, to ensure a steady supply of aviation fuel in Nigeria.

    Air Peace reaffirmed its commitment to customer satisfaction and operational excellence, reiterating that all necessary measures were being taken to minimise inconvenience to passengers.

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