NCAA Hosts Consumer Awareness Program in Abuja to Empower Air Travellers

NCAA Hosts Consumer Awareness Program in Abuja to Empower Air Travellers

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is set to organise a comprehensive consumer awareness programme designed to educate air travellers on their rights, duties, and responsibilities.

This initiative aims to foster a more pleasant travel experience and promote the adoption of the recently launched AI-driven Consumer Rights Protection and Dispute Management Portal.

The event, facilitated by two consultancy firms, will be held simultaneously at two locations in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, on Friday, 22 November 2024, starting at 9:00 AM.

Pliance Global Aviation Limited will host the National Civil Aviation Stakeholder Awareness Summit at the Federal Secretariat on Shehu Shagari Way, Central Business District.

Meanwhile, Brisk Systems Limited, a digital technology firm, will facilitate the Consumer Protection Digital Innovation Stakeholder Awareness Programme at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The programme will feature activities such as a roadshow, AI demonstrations, key informant interviews, random customer engagements, and a town hall meeting with stakeholders.

The initiative addresses the longstanding knowledge gap among air travellers, airlines, and aviation agencies, which has often resulted in conflicts and suboptimal consumer experiences on both domestic and international flights.

The NCAA’s Consumer Protection Directorate has revealed that many passengers are unaware of their rights and obligations.

Studies indicate that issues such as flight delays, often caused by natural phenomena, are frequently misunderstood, leading to misplaced blame on airlines or airport management.

This programme aligns with the NCAA’s commitment to creating a civil aviation and air transportation industry that contributes significantly to Nigeria’s economic growth.

Under the leadership of Captain Chris Ona Najomo (JP), the regulatory authority is dedicated to closing knowledge gaps and improving consumer experiences through this awareness summit.

Key goals of the summit include:

Enhancing travellers’ confidence through the enforcement of consumer rights.

Building a more informed air travel community.

Embedding a culture of service excellence across Nigeria’s civil aviation value chain.

In response to the growing need for a more robust regulatory framework, the NCAA, with the assistance of consultancy firms, has developed strategically aligned programmes. These initiatives aim to:

Rebrand and re-engineer Nigeria’s civil aviation industry.

Establish an inclusive dialogue among critical stakeholders and actors in the aviation value chain.

Create a roadmap for achieving a more efficient air transportation system.

The awareness programme represents a significant step towards fostering collaboration and inclusivity in Nigeria’s aviation sector, ultimately contributing to an enhanced travel experience for all stakeholders.

Tersoo Agber

Journalist, Travel enthusiast, PR consultant, Content manager/editor, Online publisher.