The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has said that it will start naming and shaming airlines that don’t follow aviation rules, especially when it comes to delays and cancellations.
The NCAA said that the action follows an order from Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, writes The Nation.
Michael Achimugu, the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, made this announcement today on his official X account @mikeachimugu01.
He said that airlines must give hotel rooms to travelers who are stuck between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. because of flight problems.
The message says, “If an airline has kept passengers at the terminal until 00:00 before canceling a flight, they owe their passengers a place to stay.” The rules say that travelers who are stuck between 2200 and 0400 must be offered a place to stay.
“The situation when airline employees purposely go missing, leaving NCAA Consumer Protection Officers to deal with understandably angry and disappointed passengers, will no longer be accepted.
“Even though we recognize the problems that operators have to deal with in our unique operating environment, anyone who wants to stay in business must do it effectively.
“We shouldn’t always take the easy way out.” Don’t you want to be known as “world class”? You don’t want to compete at the highest level? What about your own pride? If not for the passengers who trust you to fly them safely, then what?
“You can’t put NCAA officials at risk when all they do is help your business and protect your rights.”
It goes on to say, “For violations that are punishable, the Authority will use all of its power.” We will not give up on the letters of our rules.
“The NCAA has been told by the federal government to identify and shame airlines. We have done our best to explain how to deal with flight delays and why almost all of them are the airlines’ responsibility. However, the NCAA expects operators to follow the rules in the event of a delay.
“In accordance with the orders from the federal government and the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the naming and shaming will begin.”
About the Author
