In response to widespread flight delays and cancellations during the festive season, the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Chris Najomo, has called a meeting with the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of domestic airlines in Nigeria.
The meeting is set for Friday, December 27, 2024 with the NCAA seeking to address the growing dissatisfaction among passengers and resolve ongoing issues.
Michael Achimugu, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, shared his personal experience of the chaos at an airport, where frustrated passengers threatened violence due to long delays. He intervened by explaining the situation and confirmed that weather reports from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) would be checked to verify if the delays were caused by weather conditions. Additionally, Achimugu took immediate steps to mitigate the situation, including arranging transportation for stranded passengers and paying for accommodation for elderly travelers.
The NCAA has also announced actions against five airlines for failing to meet their obligations to passengers. This marks the first time in over ten years that the NCAA’s Consumer Protection Department has taken such a stance. Furthermore, Achimugu revealed plans to enhance accountability by requesting daily weather reports from NiMET to quickly assess if airlines are citing weather conditions accurately.
