The Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Chris Najomo, has convened an urgent meeting with the Chief Executive Officers of domestic airlines in response to ongoing flight delays and cancellations during the festive season.
Michael Achimugu, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, announced this on his X handle on Thursday, revealing that Najomo is cutting short an important assignment to address the situation.
Achimugu shared his experience while attempting to board a flight recently. He witnessed passengers becoming increasingly frustrated, with tensions rising to the point of potential violence. “I engaged with them for about 20 minutes, explaining that I would verify weather conditions with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) and clarified that airlines are not liable in cases of force majeure,” he stated.
To alleviate passenger concerns, Achimugu implemented several measures insisting that airlines provide transportation back to the city center and arranged accommodations for elderly passengers who were struggling after long waits. “The airline agreed to issue 50% compensation to impacted passengers, offering cash redemption options instead of rebates” he said.
In light of recent challenges, Achimugu noted that the NCAA had announced plans to take enforcement action against five airlines—a significant move for the Consumer Protection Department, marking its first active intervention in over a decade. He also indicated that he had requested NiMET to begin sending daily weather reports to quickly resolve any disputes regarding airline weather claims.
Additionally, Achimugu revealed that he recently allocated part of his salary to aid passengers waiting for refunds from a struggling airline, highlighting his commitment to addressing consumer grievances. He encouraged passengers to utilize a QR code for filing complaints directly with the NCAA should their issues not be resolved by the following morning.
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