Minister Moves To Tackle Flight Delays, Cancellations

Worried over the arbitrary flight delays and cancellations by airlines operating in the country, the Minister of Aviation, Mrs. Stella Oduah-Ogienwonyi has taken steps to curb the ugly trend.

The minister, who had earlier set up a committee on the matter, gave directives on how to effectively bring this problem to an end.

To this end, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has been urged to expedite action on the interline arrangement among domestic airline generators to enable passengers of the delayed/cancelled flights to connect their flights with available airlines.

Some airlines have identified the problems that may hinder the process which include disparity in fares, especially normal and promo-fares, but they have also expressed enthusiasm about the planned arrangement.

The airlines will be encouraged to improve on their credit worthiness with fuel marketers so that there will no be delays or even cancellation of flights occasioned by the refusal of oil marketers to sell Jet A1 on credit due to unpaid debts.

Also, fuel marketers will be directed to increase the number of fuel browsers and up-grade the old ones at the airports.

The minister further commended the National Assembly for its foresight in making provisions for compensation schemes for passengers and other allied aviation services consumers in the Civil Aviation Act 2006.