Flight cancellations, delays, NCAA reads out riot act

From Suleiman ldris, Lagos

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) yesterday reiterated its stance against incessant flight cancellations and delays by airlines operating domestic operations in Nigeria.
The latest declaration is a fallout of an interactive forum between the regulatory agency and stakeholders at NCAA annex in Lagos.
Operators received assurances of improved services delivery from NCAA and the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) following demands by operators.
The airlines demands range from improvement in fuel supply and infrastructure at the airport, tackling unruly passengers, frequent traffic along airport road among others.
Prominent among the 16 resolutions reached at the forum includes the ministry liaising with the PPMC to fix the underground pipeline layout from Apapa to Lagos airport to minimize surface transportation of fuel.
Airlines are also urges to be realistic in their flight planning/schedules and disseminate on time information to passengers on flight status as well provide right to care to passengers in times of delays/cancellation.
Against this backdrop, the regulatory authority said ‘all airlines are therefore warned to always adhere to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs 2015) and Passengers Bill of Rights in their dealings with passengers, adding that passengers must get value for their money
“While the NCAA and FAAN are doing everything to resolve all the issues enumerated, flight delays and cancellations will not be acceptable”.
Representatives were drawn from both domestic and international airlines, Airport operators, the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Bi-Courtney Aviation Services.