NCAA Ready To Address Passengers’ Maltreatment

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has called on travel agents and airline operators to find a lasting solution to issues of flight disruptions, and ticket refund complaints, among others.

The aviation stakeholders, who met at the NCAA office at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Lagos, addressed the issues affecting the sector and agreed on possible solutions.

While speaking at the meeting, the Director, Air Transport, NCAA, Mrs Olayinka Babaoye, informed the stakeholders that the meeting became necessary due to rising issues of flight disruptions and passenger complaints.

According to her, “It is good to hear from both sides because we have called the airline on several occasions, both foreign and domestic airlines.

“To discuss the issue that we keep getting from passengers on disruption, on how cancellations and delays are being handled.

“And I know we worked very closely with NANTA because we were trying to make sure that passengers come first. But at the same time, it is also to balance between the passenger, the airline, and the country as a whole.”

At the meeting, Director, Public Affairs/Consumer Protection, NCAA, Micheal Achimugu, also stated that the government through the agency was ready to dish out sanctions where necessary

He expressed that both local and international airlines should henceforth be cautious as the hammer could hit any operator, citing the case with the Turkish Airlines and NUATE saga.

"There is an absolute need to eradicate the touts at the airport. NANTA members, who are certified by the NCAA must be properly identified.

“Most of the aftermath of disruptions at the airport are constituted by these touts,” he stated.

Similarly, a travel agent, Adeola Folami, called on more engagements such as meetings of this kind as same will help nip many issues in the bud.

He said there should be a balance between the International Airport Transport Association’s exchange rate for ticket sales and other exchange rates, adding that failure to do so could affect the industry negatively.