The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday summoned key aviation figures including the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Festus Keyamo, and Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo along with airline operators and other relevant stakeholders, in response to the increasing number of flight delays and cancellations by Nigerian airlines.
The motion, which was adopted during plenary and sponsored by AbdulFatai Buhari (APC, Oyo North), directs the Senate’s Committee on Aviation to investigate the causes of these frequent disruptions and recommend lasting solutions. Buhari emphasized that the recent surge in flight delays and cancellations has become a significant concern, noting that air travel is a vital, time-sensitive mode of transportation for business, official duties, and other critical appointments.
Highlighting the urgency of the issue, Buhari said, “Unwarranted flight delays and cancellations will be counterproductive to the socio-economic growth and development of this country.” He pointed out that the increasing disruptions were well-covered in the media and were detrimental to the country’s aviation reputation.
Recent data from the Nigerian Government revealed the scale of the problem. According to a report, between January and June of this year, approximately 2,000 air passengers lost a total of 19,274 pieces of luggage. Furthermore, a staggering 19,250 passengers experienced prolonged delays during the same period, according to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority’s half-year report.
Buhari reminded the Senate that the NCAA, as stipulated by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Act, has the statutory power to oversee the aviation sector, ensuring that airlines adhere to international standards and that passengers receive value for their tickets. However, he criticized the lack of enforcement of these standards, highlighting that many Nigerians are unaware of their rights to compensation for delays.
He added that part of the challenge is the lack of awareness among passengers that they are entitled to compensation for time lost due to unnecessary delays. He called for the NCAA to take action by activating the consumer protection provisions of the 2023 Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations, in order to hold airline operators accountable and improve service quality in the industry.
Buhari also stressed that the nation’s aspirations for economic diversification and foreign direct investment would remain unrealistic if Nigeria’s aviation sector continues to operate below global best practices.
