Subscribe: Gist E-Paper
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has warned domestic airlines of tougher sanctions for violating aviation regulations, stressing that no operator would receive preferential treatment in the enforcement of safety and consumer protection rules.
The NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, issued the warning in a post on his verified X handle yesterday.
Achimugu said the regulatory agency would intensify enforcement against airlines that fail to comply with prescribed operational and passenger protection requirements.
He specifically directed airlines with aircraft on ground (AOG) to scale down their operations instead of continuing to sell tickets beyond their available capacity and leaving passengers stranded or subjected to prolonged delays.
He also reminded airlines of their obligations to passengers during flight disruptions, saying affected travellers must receive appropriate welfare services when delays occur.
According to him, passengers affected by delays of two hours must be provided with light refreshments, while those whose flights are delayed for six hours are entitled to a proper meal.
Achimugu added that passengers affected by delays extending to 10 p.m. should be provided with accommodation, except where the passenger resides in the affected city and applicable conditions permit otherwise.
The warning comes amid recent disruptions to flight operations by Air Peace, which attributed a number of delays and cancellations to a combination of operational challenges.
In a statement issued by its Chief Operating Officer, Oluwatoyin Olajide, the airline apologised to affected passengers and expressed regret over the inconvenience caused by the disruptions.
Air Peace said one of its aircraft was grounded following an inadvertent false fire alarm, while another remained out of service for several days after sustaining damage in a bird strike.
The airline also blamed adverse weather for some diversions, delays and cancellations, while technical issues requiring mandatory inspections and maintenance further affected its schedule.
Air Peace added that delays in the availability of aviation fuel contributed to some of the disruptions, stressing that several of the circumstances were beyond its immediate control.
Olajide said the airline recognised the impact of the disruptions on passengers and was taking steps to minimise their effects, while maintaining that safety remained its top priority.
She stressed that Air Peace would not return any aircraft to service until its technical teams and required safety procedures had confirmed that the aircraft was fit to fly.
