Senate Summons Festus Keyamo, Stakeholders Over Rampant Flight Delays, Cancellations

The Senate at plenary on Wednesday, summoned the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and other stakeholders in the sector over rampant cases of flight cancellations and delays in the sector.

The resolution was sequel to the adoption and approval of a motion by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation, Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, who is representing Oyo North Senatorial District in the National Assembly.

Titled, “Incessant Delayed and cancelled flights by Airline Operators in Nigeria,” the Senator in his motion, drew the attention of his colleagues to the worrisome development.

Buhari noted a series of reportage in both the print and electronic media as well as the social media in the country, on the incessant delay and cancellation of flights by Airline operators in Nigeria.

He said the situation, ceaselessly seemed to be on the increase in recent times.

He added, “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 statutorily 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 ofbacceptable 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 Senate, after a robust 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 panel included the Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority; Airline Operators and other relevant stakeholders.

The essence of the engagement was to among other things, unravel the circumstances behind the incessant flight delays and cancellations with a view finding lasting solutions to the problem.

The Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Tahir Monguno; the Minority Leader, Abba Moro; Senator Orji Uzor Kalu; and the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, spoke in support of the motion.

Sunday Aborisade

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