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December 04, (THEWILL) – As the festive season approaches, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has assured air travelers of uninterrupted and seamless flight operations during the Yuletide period and beyond.
This assurance was given during a Road Show and Enlightenment Campaign held at the Port Harcourt International Airport on Tuesday.
Organised by the NCAA’s Consumer Protection Department, the event aimed to educate air passengers on how to lodge complaints about flight disruptions and other grievances.
The NCAA also revealed that ten additional aircraft have been approved for operation in the country, a move facilitated by the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo’s, signing of the Cape Town Convention Practice Direction.
The approval, alongside efforts by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation is expected to boost the operational capacity of local airlines during the high-demand period.
Michael Achimugu, NCAA’s Director of Consumer Protection and Public Affairs, emphasised the organization’s commitment to ensuring smooth air travel.
He highlighted that the sensitization campaign aims to empower travelers with knowledge of their rights and responsibilities.
“We are entering the peak travel season, and there has been a history of flight disruptions. Many passengers do not know their rights or how to address these issues. Our responsibility is to protect both passengers and airlines, ensuring fair treatment and efficient operations,” Achimugu said.
He stressed the importance of creating awareness about the NCAA’s role in resolving complaints.
He said, “Most passengers are unaware that they can report travel issues directly to NCAA. This awareness campaign will continue into the next year to ensure passengers are better informed.”
Achimugu further assured Nigerians that disruptions would be minimal this year, citing increased fleet capacity among local airlines such as Air Peace, Ibom Air, and United Nigeria Airlines.
He added, “The addition of ten new aircraft across these airlines has addressed the longstanding capacity problem, significantly reducing the likelihood of disruptions this season.”
He also noted Nigeria’s remarkable progress in consumer protection within the aviation industry.
“Nigeria is one of the few countries where airlines are compelled to offer full refunds without additional charges, ensuring accountability and fairness,” he added.
In a related event, the NCAA hosted a town hall meeting in Port Harcourt to discuss operational efficiency and service excellence within the aviation industry.
Themed “Repositioning the Nigerian Aviation Industry for Operational Efficiency, Service Excellence, and Economic Viability: A Renewed and Inclusive Regulatory Dialogue”, the event featured prominent speakers, including filmmaker and actress Hilda Dokubo, legal practitioner First Baba Isa, and DAAR Communications’ Utibe Umoren, among others.
The meeting served as a platform to foster collaboration among stakeholders and address key challenges in the aviation sector, further bolstering efforts to ensure a seamless travel experience for Nigerians.
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
