Senate summons minister, NCAA boss over flight delays, cancellations

The Senate has invited the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and airline operators to unravel the circumstances behind incessant flight delays and cancellations in the country.

The Senate’s resolution was sequel to a motion moved by Abdulfatai Buhari (APC-Oyo) during plenary in Abuja on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.

Moving the motion, Buhari said a series of reports from both the print and electronic media showed incessant delays and cancellations of flights by airline operators in the country.

“This development is worrisome, as air travel is one of the most reliable, dependable and quicker means of transportation often undertaken for business/official purposes and to keep to other scheduled appointments which are usually time bound,” the lawmaker stated.

Buhari said unwarranted flight delays and cancellations would be counter-productive to the socio-economic growth and development of the country.

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He noted that the quests for economic diversification and foreign direct investments, which were part of the current administration’s policy thrust, would remain an illusion if the country’s aviation industry fell short of acceptable best practices across the globe.

Buhari added: “Part 19 of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority Regulations of 2023 makes provisions for consumer protection in the Civil Aviation industry in Nigeria.

“However, enforcement has been an issue, as most Nigerians are not even aware that they are entitled to compensation for time lost due to unnecessary delays.

“That’s why there’s the need for NCAA to activate this aspect of its regulation so that airline operators will sit up and be alive to their responsibilities.”

Supporting the motion, Senate Minority Whip Abba Moro recalled his experience with the Nigerian airlines and the negative impacts that they could have.

“I think that it is high time we took a very stern stance on some of these issues because it throws up the problem of our regulatory agencies,” Moro said.

The Star