Uchendu Alexis
The Federal Government has announced plans to issue a directive requiring airline operators to provide compensation to passengers for flight delays and cancellations that are not attributed to natural occurrences. This announcement was made by Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, during a meeting with airline operators in Abuja.
Keyamo emphasized the need to address the concerns of ordinary Nigerians who frequently experience delays and cancellations. While acknowledging that there are various factors contributing to flight disruptions, he stressed that not all instances can be attributed to government actions.
He stated, “Nigerians don’t know there is compensation for delay. If it is an act of God, you cannot pay. But if it is human fault, the NCAA Act says you will pay.” He further urged airline operators to establish reliable communication channels to notify passengers promptly in case of flight cancellations.
The move aims to ensure that passengers receive fair compensation when their travel plans are disrupted due to reasons within the airline’s control, ultimately improving the travel experience for air travelers in Nigeria.
