The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), has reiterated the agency’s commitment to addressing flight disruptions, delays, and cancellations.
Speaking after a meeting with airline operators, Ag. Director General, NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo emphasized the importance of onboarding airlines onto the NCAA’s passenger complaint portal within 48 hours to improve service delivery and reduce passenger grievances.
“We’ve given them enough time to onboard, and now they have 48 hours to comply. This initiative will create a seamless system, which is ultimately beneficial for both passengers and airlines”.
At the meeting with the theme: ‘Finding Lasting Solutions to Flight Disruptions ‘, he stressed that unruly behaviour from passengers, often stemming from frustrations over flight delays and cancellations, tarnishes the country’s image.
Capt. Najomo also noted that similar behaviors are not tolerated abroad and called on passengers to exercise restraint, even in challenging situations.
“When cancellations or delays happen due to weather or other factors, it shouldn’t lead to destructive actions. Passengers need to respect the rights and responsibilities that come with air travel”.
Addressing Unruly Behaviour
The meeting also provided an opportunity for the NCAA to address the growing incidence of unruly passenger behavior at airports.
Najomo revealed that the situation had attracted attention from the Presidency and the National Assembly, prompting the agency to take decisive action.
“We’ve engaged airlines to work on solutions, including trimming flight schedules and ensuring standby aircraft to mitigate disruptions. Airlines must also keep the NCAA and relevant agencies informed of any issues promptly”.
Captain Najomo emphasized that the NCAA would issue a clear directive against unruly passenger behavior, declaring it “unacceptable” under any circumstance.
He cautioned, “Passengers have rights, but they also have responsibilities. Destroying airport facilities due to a flight cancellation is not the solution”.
Sustained Efforts to Improve Operations
When asked if this would be a one-off effort, Capt. Najomo assured that the initiative would be ongoing, particularly during peak travel periods.
“This is not a one-time action. We are committed to curbing unruly behaviour and ensuring smoother operations year-round. Together with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), we are working on rapid and effective measures”.
