Senate summons Keyamo, airline operators over flight delays

The senate has invited Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development, over the recurring cases of flight delays and cancellations in the country.

The upper chamber’s resolution followed a motion sponsored by Abdulfatai Buhari, chairman of the senate committee on aviation, on Wednesday.

Buhari, in his motion, said the incidence of delayed and cancelled flights has become worrisome.

The lawmaker said there have been a series of reports in the media on the incessant delay and cancellation of flights by airline operators in Nigeria.

He said unwarranted flight delays and cancellations are counterproductive to the socio-economic growth and development of the country.

“The senate notes that this development is worrisome as air travel is one of the most reliable, dependable and quicker means of transportation,” Buhari said. 

“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 (sic) 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 upper chamber, after debate on the matter, summoned Keyamo, the director-general of NCAA, airline operators and other relevant stakeholders.