The Nigerian Senate has summoned the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), alongside airline operators and other stakeholders, to address the rising cases of flight delays and cancellations across the country.
This decision was made during Wednesday’s plenary following the adoption of a motion presented by Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, titled “Incessant Delayed and Cancelled Flights by Airline Operators in Nigeria.”
Senator Buhari, representing Oyo North Senatorial District, highlighted the increasing reports in both traditional and digital media about the disruptive nature of flight delays and cancellations. He expressed concern over the negative impact of these occurrences on Nigeria’s socio-economic growth.
The Senate emphasized the need for a comprehensive solution to ensure airline operators uphold their responsibilities to passengers and maintain global aviation standards. Stakeholders are expected to meet with the Senate in the coming days to discuss the way forward.
In his lead debate, Buhari said: “The Senate notes that this development is worrisome as air travel is one of the most reliable, dependable and quicker means of transportation.
“Air travels are often undertaken for business/official purposes and to keep to other scheduled appointments, which are usually time bound.
“Therefore, unwarranted flight delays and cancellations will be counterproductive to the socio-economic growth and development of this country.
“The Senate further notes that as part of interventionist measures to check unethical and unwholesome practices of the practitioners in the aviation sector, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), is statutory empowered, through the enactment of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Act, to among other things, provide oversight.
“It also produced guidelines aimed at ensuring that airlines operate within the contemplation of international standards in Nigeria and to ensure that airline customers get value for the services they pay the airlines for.
“The Senate observes that the quests for economic diversification and foreign direct investment, which are parts of the current administration’s policy thrust, will remain an illusion if the country’s aviation industry falls short of acceptable best practices across the globe.
“The Senate is aware that 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 delay, hence the need for the NCAA to activate this aspect of its Regulation so that Airline operators will seat up and be alive to their responsibilities.”
The Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno; the Minority Leader, Abba Moro; Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Senator Anthony Ani, Senator Yunus Akintunde, Senator Victor Umeh and the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, supported the motion.
The Senate, after debate on the matter, mandated its Committee on Aviation to invite the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development to interface with its members.
Others mandated to appear before the Committee include the Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority; Airline Operators of Nigeria and other relevant stakeholders.
According to the Senate, the essence of the engagement is to among other things, unravel the circumstances behind the incessant flight delays and cancellations with a view to finding lasting solutions to the problem.
