The Nigerian Senate has summoned key figures in the aviation sector, including Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Festus Keyamo, Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Capt. Chris Najomo, airline operators, and other relevant stakeholders, to discuss the ongoing issue of persistent flight delays and cancellations.
During a plenary session, Senator AbdulFatai Buhari (APC Oyo North) introduced a motion that prompted the Senate to task its Committee on Aviation with investigating the root causes of these disruptions and to propose effective solutions.
Recent reports reveal that approximately 2,000 air passengers experienced the loss of 19,274 pieces of luggage between January and June of this year, according to data from federal sources. Additionally, the NCAA’s half-year report indicated that 19,250 passengers faced significant delays during the same period.
Presenting the motion, Senator Buhari expressed concern over the rising trend of flight disruptions, which he noted has been widely reported in the media. “This situation is alarming, as air travel is typically regarded as one of the most reliable and efficient forms of transportation, often necessitated for business and other time-sensitive commitments,” he stated.
He emphasized that “unjustified flight delays and cancellations could hinder the socio-economic progress and development of our nation.”
Buhari highlighted the NCAA’s responsibility, as mandated by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Act, to enforce ethical practices in the aviation sector, ensuring airlines adhere to international standards and that customers receive the value of their payments.
He remarked that “the pursuit of economic diversification and attracting foreign direct investment, which are central to the current administration’s agenda, will remain unattainable if our aviation sector fails to meet global best practices.”
The senator also referenced Part 19 of the NCAA’s 2023 regulations, which includes provisions aimed at consumer protection within the aviation industry. However, he noted that enforcement remains a challenge, as many Nigerians are unaware of their rights to compensation for delays, underscoring the necessity for the NCAA to activate this aspect of its regulations to ensure accountability from airline operators.
