Tough Times Await Airlines Over Flight Delays, Cancellations
Airlines operating in Nigeria may be in for tough times over flight delays and cancellations, as the regulatory agency, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, and Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, bare their fangs.
Both federal agencies have resolved to put a stop to the phenomenon which has over time, set airlines against their customers, and the strict regulations may come sooner than expected.
A Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, between them on a new sanctions regime would soon be released to stakeholders.
Of the 14,662 domestic flights operated in the country in the first quarter of this year, 7,554 were delayed.
Although the searchlight is now being beamed on operators, passengers have also been blamed for not reporting to the Consumer Protection Department delays and infractions suffered in the hands of the operators.
Industry regulator, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, told Vanguard that airlines who failed to pay adequate compensations to delayed passengers were constantly being sanctioned, warning that the sanctions will be tougher, henceforth, if they failed to raise their game.
Sanctions for defaulting airlines
Before now, sanctions such as fines and revocation of operating licences were imposed on defaulters, depending on what the regulations says in NCAA Act. “Sanctions are not only in monetary terms. Sanctions is proportional to offence, depending on what is laid out in the books.
“Some applicable sanction could be letter of warning or suspension of operations or revocation of licence,” NCAA spokesman, Sam Adurogboye said.
However, the FCCPC considered these not stringent enough, saying they give room for airlines to easily explain delays and go scot-free.
Reliable information from the FCCPC also indicate that tougher regulations on flight delays and cancellations will soon be in force. Flight delays could be caused by bad weather, technical fault, operational reasons, lack of capacity or equipment, etc.
When the delay is caused by bad weather or technical faults, the airline involved enjoys pardon from the regulatory authorities as these factors are many times beyond the control of the airline.
But when the delays are avoidable and caused by lack of capacity or equipment, there are recommended sanctions by NCAA, in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization, ICAO, conventions.
Delayed, cancelled flights
Data obtained from NCAA, show that in the first quarter of this year, 2021, out of the 14,662 domestic flights operated in the country, 7,554 were delayed.
Also, 562 flights were delayed out of the 1,871 international flights operated out of the country. Nine international and 149 domestic flights were cancelled.
Currently, there are nine domestic airlines operating scheduled flights in the country, as 19 airlines operate international flights in and out of Nigeria, according to NCAA data.
‘Good thing for aviation’
A frequent flier on the domestic scene who didn’t want his name in print, said the MoU between the NCAA and FCCPC would be the best thing to happen to the aviation sector in the country, if well enforced.
Vanguard investigations revealed that the Consumer Protection Department of NCAA, in the first quarter of the year, received seven complaints from international travellers and resolved two.
The department also received 47 complaints against domestic airlines and was able to resolve 41 in the first quarter. There were five reported cases of discourtesy against domestic airlines. No similar case was reported against any international airline.
Similarly, 10 cases of over-booking and denied boarding were recorded against domestic airlines, while two cases were reported against international airlines.
The above data indicate that passengers are not reporting enough to the regulatory authorities infractions against them by airlines. This development is said to have contributed to the manner airlines treat passengers.
NCAA warns airlines
On the action taken so far against airlines who delay and cancel scheduled flights, Mr Sam Adurogboye, General Manager, Public Affairs, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, said the agency had warned all airlines to always adhere to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs 2015) and Passengers Bill of Rights in their dealings. He also said passengers must get value for their money, hence, “ NCAA will not refrain from applying sanctions where appropriate.”
He said further that airline operators are expected to always disseminate information to passengers on flight status and ensure they provide right care to passengers in times of delays and cancellations, in line with the Nig. CARs 2015 Part 19.
Adurogboye said: “If you delay a passenger for up to two hours, you have to give him or her some refreshments. You must have a way of compensating them until the flight is announced. There are many reasons for delays and cancellations. Most of them are safety-based.
