The Federal Government of Nigeria has disclosed its intention to mandate airlines operating in the country to compensate passengers for flights that are
delayed or cancelled but are not due to a natural disaster.
This was stated by the Nigerian Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo during a meeting with airline operators on Monday, October 9, 2023, in Abuja.
“On delayed flights, I
want to speak for ordinary Nigerians who complain every day about delayed,
cancelled flights. I know you have said all your reasons. You have blamed the
government and a few things we do. But I also want to say that it is not all
the time that it is government.
“At times, you say you were waiting for passengers to finish passing
through the screening machine. At times, they have finished passing through
screening machines. They are waiting in the lounge for five hours and you
cancel your flight.
“So, you see, after
some time, we will start implementing the provisions of the NCAA Act. You know,
Nigerians don’t know there is compensation for delay. If it is an act of God,
you cannot pay. But if it is human fault, the NCAA Act says you will pay. So,
for all airline operators, while I have praised and supported you, I will also
support Nigerians. You will pay them. After some time, I will put my feet on
the ground. Pay them when you delay, cancel their flight,”
Keyamo stated.
Out of 2,791,591 passengers, 10,128
experienced delays, and 284 flights were cancelled by 11 domestic carriers
during the review period, according to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority
(NCAA). The most flights were cancelled, 63, by Air Peace, the largest airline
in Nigeria. Arik, Aero Contractors, Azman Air, Green Africa, Overland, Value
Jet, Ibom Air, Dana Air, and United Airlines were among the additional
airlines. Capt. Musa Nuhu, Director General of NCAA, blamed the ongoing
cancellations on numerous airlines' inability to pay their bills.
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