As aviation fuel reaches all time high of N260 per litre, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has called on passengers who experience the attendant flight delays and cancellations arising from fuel scarcity to exercise restraint.
The director general of the agency, Capt. Muhtar Usman said the “call is necessary due to reports of passengers’ rage and violence from some of the nation’s airports in the last few days.”
“In some cases irate passengers have resorted to wanton destruction of certain facilities at the airports. The regulatory authority agrees absolutely with the passengers that the conditions of carriage on their tickets must be upheld by the operating airlines. In other words, it is our statutory responsibility to ensure that passengers derive value for their money,” he said.
In addition, the director general said “NCAA is well primed to ensure that all aggrieved passengers’ complaints are professionally handled by our consumer protection officers.”
However, he said NCAA would “wish to inform all passengers that it is well aware of the prevailing scarcity of Jet A1 which has inevitably led to flight cancellations and delays by the airlines.”
NCAA has also taken cognizance of concerted efforts being made by the airlines to ensure that all passengers are ferried without any hitches.
“The federal government…is already engaging all the stakeholders involved with the procurement and distribution of aviation fuel to ensure availability in earnest.
“All passengers are therefore enjoined to exercise caution while expressing their grievances as the airlines are grappling with the challenges thrown up by the non- availability of Jet A1.
“On the other hand, the airline operators must ensure they adhere strictly to the Standard and Recommended Practices (SARPs) in their operations. Passengers must be informed of any development concerning their flights well ahead of time,” said Usman.
