*Festus Keyamo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and Minister for Aviation and Aerospace Development, says the Federal Government supports and protects travellers as it moves to issue an order compelling airline operators to start paying compensations to passengers for ‘recurring’ delayed and cancelled flights

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

In consonance with implementing the provisions of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to protect the interests of consumers in the aviation sector, the Federal Government has said it will soon issue and enforce an order to compel airlines to start paying compensations to passengers for the recurring delayed and cancelled flights not attributed to natural occurrences.

绿帽献妻 learnt Mr. Festus Keyamo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and Honourable Minister for Aviation and Aerospace Development, said this during a meeting with airline operators Monday, October 9, 2023, in Abuja, FCT.

Keyamo asserted that “on delayed flights, I want to speak for ordinary Nigerians who complain everyday (about) delayed, cancelled flights.

“I know you have said all your reasons. You have blamed the government and a few things we do. “But I also want to say that it is not all the time that it is government.”

The Minister said: “At times, you say you were waiting for passengers to finish passing through the screening machine.

“At times, they have finished passing through screening machines.”

He also explained: “They are waiting in the lounge for five hours and you cancel your flight.

鈥淪o, you see, after some time, we will start implementing the provisions of the NCAA Act.

“You know, Nigerians don鈥檛 know there is compensation for delay.”

According to him, “if it is an act of God, you cannot pay.

鈥淏ut if it is human fault, the NCAA Act says you will pay.

“So, for all airline operators, while I have praised and supported you, I will also support Nigerians.”

He stated: “You will pay them. After some time, I will put my feet on the ground. Pay them when you delay, cancel their flight.鈥�

In line with global aviation standards of practice, Keyamo, however, urged the concerned airline operators to build “stable communication channels” in order to enable passengers to get cancellation notices on time, not at the airports.

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