Flight Disruptions: NCAA warns airlines to live up to their schedules or face sanctions
In a stern response to escalating reports of frequent delays, flight disruptions, and last-minute schedule changes plaguing domestic airlines, Capt. Chris Najomo, the Acting Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), has issued a decisive warning.
Expressing his dissatisfaction during a stakeholders’ meeting on Friday, February 2nd, 2024, Najomo emphasised the urgency for domestic carriers to enhance their services in alignment with the Aviation Minister’s 5-point agenda mandated by the President.
The Director-General underscored that the current state of flight disruptions and subpar passenger experiences is intolerable, stressing the need for immediate improvement.
Najomo insisted that airlines must align their flight schedules with the number of operational aircraft and consider scheduling flights into sunset airports earlier in the day.
This strategic adjustment, according to Najomo, aims to minimise cancellations due to airport closures at sunset.
The Acting DG firmly stated that the NCAA would ensure airlines fulfill their obligations to passengers or face sanctions.
“Airlines must handle persons with reduced mobility properly, with dignity and without discrimination,” Najomo reiterated, citing the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations Part 19.
He pointed out that airlines are mandated to offer special needs assistance and require agents to inquire during ticket purchases if passengers will require assistance.
Highlighting a shift in approach, Najomo declared, “It is no longer business as usual,” warning that errant airlines would face appropriate sanctions without bias.
According to him, the NCAA has intensified surveillance to monitor compliance and identify violators, amplifying the Minister’s commitment to develop the aviation industry, with sanctions looming for poorly managed infractions or flight disruptions.
Addressing concerns raised by some airlines, the Director of Airport Operations (FAAN), Capt. Mukhtar Yusuf Muye, acknowledged challenges like poor airport facilities, single standby generators, bird strikes, and congested boarding gates, stressing that FAAN is actively working to minimise bird strike incidents and resolve issues related to airport facilities for smoother passenger and baggage flow.
Mrs. Ifueko Abdulmalik, Acting General Manager, Flight Operations & Adjudication, NCAA, presented a paper on the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations 2023 Part 19. She disclosed that in 2023, 53 percent of total flights in Nigeria experienced delays, with 1 percent being canceled.
The session aimed to apprise airlines of the regulations and applicable sanctions concerning flight delays, cancellations, schedule changes, baggage delays, and losses.
