Flight delays, cancellations should be strictly penalised – FG panel

 FG Calls for Stricter Sanctions on Airlines Over Flight Delays, Cancellations

The Federal Government, through the Central Results Delivery Coordination Unit (CRDCU), has urged the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to revisit a draft policy proposing stricter penalties for airlines due to the increasing frequency of flight delays and cancellations across the country.

Hadiza Bala-Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination and head of the CRDCU, made this recommendation during a performance assessment meeting at the Aviation Ministry in Abuja on Wednesday.

The meeting was part of the ongoing review of the Q1–Q3 2024 Performance Assessment Report on the implementation of Presidential Priorities and Ministerial Deliverables.

Call for Stronger Passenger Protections

Details of the meeting were shared via the CRDCU’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Tuesday.

Bala-Usman stressed the need for tougher regulations to protect passengers from disruptions and financial losses caused by frequent flight issues.

She pointed out that gaps in customer engagement and incomplete service delivery data have hindered the Ministry’s ability to conduct an accurate independent assessment of progress.

Key Recommendations

In addition to advocating for stricter penalties on non-compliant airlines, Bala-Usman called for a revision of the 224-day target for resolving passenger complaints, describing it as unrealistic and out of sync with global standards.

The report highlighted her concerns:

“She described this as critical given the increasing number of flight delays and cancellations and their impact on passengers. She further recommended revising the current target of 224 days for resolving customer complaints, stating that it urgently requires recalibration to align with global best practices.”

She further urged the Ministry to streamline its dispute resolution processes to ensure quicker and more efficient handling of passenger complaints.

Minister Responds

In response, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, commended the CRDCU for its thorough review and pledged to address the identified issues.

Keyamo assured that the Aviation Ministry would enhance service delivery and uphold international best practices in Nigeria’s aviation sector.