The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, underscored that airlines failing to meet their operational commitments must compensate passengers for both flight cancellations and delays.
Speaking at a meeting in Abuja with the heads of agencies under the ministry, Keyamo addressed the prevalent concerns of Nigerians regarding disrupted air travel.
Keyamo stated, “We are not deaf to the cries of Nigerians about delays and canceled flights. The law is there, and we are looking at how to enforce those laws for the compensation of Nigerians who bear the brunt of flight cancellations, disrupting their activities.”
Acknowledging the potential challenges of legal actions against airlines, he emphasized the need for a practical approach to ensure compensation. Keyamo proposed a system where affected passengers receive compensation or rebates for future travel if cash reimbursement is not feasible.
To streamline the process, the minister disclosed the formation of a committee tasked with generating a code for affected passengers to use when purchasing their next ticket.
“We are concerned about passenger satisfaction and the safety of air travelers,” Keyamo added.
In a move to address the recurring issue of flight cancellations, the Minister directed the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority to compile a weekly catalogue of canceled flights.
Furthermore, Keyamo instructed the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau to conclude investigations into recent air incidents and mishaps within the next 10 days. He emphasized the importance of a swift and comprehensive reporting process, even for incidents classified as minor, to enhance transparency and passenger confidence in air travel safety.
