The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has directed operating airline; local and foreign to henceforth stop unnecessary flight delays and cancellations, which had charactersised the country’s aviation industry in recent time.
The regulatory agency observed that operating airlines especially indigenous carriers had in the past few weeks cancelled or delayed flights without any cogent reasons and warned them to desist from this of face appropriate sanctions.
A statement by the General Manager, Public Affairs, NCAA, Mr. Sam Adurogboye said that the declaration was made at the just concluded stakeholder’s forum organised by the authority at the NCAA annex at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos.
The statement hinted that the forum was attended by 13 International airlines, eight domestic carriers and airport operators; the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Bi-Courtney Aviation Services.
He, however, said that the airlines at the meeting equally gave reasons for flight delays and cancellations in recent time.
According to him, the airlines identified poor fuel supply, bad infrastructure at airports, unruly passengers and traffic along airport road as some of the challenges, which prevented them from taking to the sky as advertised.
He, however, said that the managements of NCAA and FAAN in their responses assured the operators that all these challenges would be tackled soon.
He added that at the end of the meeting, parties involved agreed that airlines should be realistic in their flight planning, schedules, they should always disseminate on time information to passengers on flight status and the carriers should ensure they provide right to care to passengers in times of delays or cancellations in line with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations NCARs) 2015 Part 19.
The statement added: “NCAA and FAAN to liaise with Ministry of Transport, Aviation Unit to replace fuel hydrants if the old ones will cost a lot of money to be fixed and the supply points should be connected to the airports.
“FAAN, airport operators or owners to ensure facilities like lightings, carousels and cooling systems are functional. Ministry should to liaise with Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) on fixing the underground pipeline layout from Apapa to Lagos airport to minimise surface transportation of fuel.
“FAAN should beef up security at the airports to prevent unlawful interference, airlines’ representatives should be available to testify whenever cases of unruly passengers are referred to the Nigeria Police Force and the representative of FAAN Management to ensure that action is expedited on the upgrade of lighting on Runway 18L/36R (MMIA).”
NCAA also directed airlines and airport operators to regularly maintain constant communication and should also always request for re-imbursement of expenses incurred from third parties or service providers with whom they signed Service Level Agreements (SLAs) as stipulated by the Nig. CARs Part 19.
Besides, NCAA directed FAAN to ensure that the Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras should always be operational while airlines’ inputs should be considered in the design and construction of airports to avoid a repeat of the mistakes of the past.
Also, the parties agreed that airlines should develop responsive crisis management systems and file their Operation Disruption Manuals with NCAA as required by law and equally encouraged domestic airlines to enter into interlining arrangements with one and others.
