In a bid to tackle rising incidents of unruly behavior by air travelers, authorities in Nigeria’s aviation sector have announced plans to establish mobile courts at airports.
These courts will handle cases involving passengers who disrupt airport operations or assault airline and airport staff.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) have expressed strong disapproval of such behavior, which has become increasingly common during protests over flight delays or cancellations.
According to a report by Daily Trust, some passengers, frustrated by delayed or canceled flights, have resorted to physical altercations with airline personnel or damaging airport facilities.
READ ALSO: 179 Dead In South Korea’s Plane Crash
To address these disruptions, the NCAA recently convened a stakeholders’ meeting at its Annex in Lagos. The meeting focused on mitigating flight disruptions and improving passenger management through collaborative efforts and policy reforms.
One of the key resolutions from the meeting was the extension of operational hours at sunset airports to 10:00 PM. Due to flight delays from hubs like Lagos and Abuja, these airports often face cancellations, leaving passengers stranded and agitated.
The meeting was attended by representatives of key aviation bodies, including the FAAN Managing Director, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku; the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA); the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET); and the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), led by its Vice President and Air Peace CEO, Mr. Allen Onyema.
Stakeholders also highlighted the operational challenges posed by the harmattan season and other factors affecting flight schedules. To address these, they agreed to conduct joint sensitization campaigns against unruly passenger behavior.
READ ALSO: Kano Foreign Scholarship Graduates Get Automatic Employment
Deploy Aviation Security (AVSEC) officials promptly during passenger agitations to de-escalate aggression professionally. Strengthen security measures to prevent unauthorized access to tarmacs.
Also to collaborate with local leaders to address waste management and reduce bird strike risks near airports.
Airlines were urged to optimize their flight schedules to manageable levels and maintain standby aircraft to address Aircraft on Ground (AOG) situations. The resolution also emphasized the importance of utilizing weather forecasts from NIMET for better flight planning.
Also enhancing collaboration between airlines on passenger handling and luggage management and informing passengers when luggage is removed due to space or weight limitations.
The stakeholders called on airlines to adhere to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs) 2023 Part 19, which mandates timely refunds for ticket cancellations and care provisions for passengers during disruptions.
READ ALSO: “You Have Not Disappointed Nigerians” Lagos Imam Tells Tinubu
Airlines expressed concerns over negative media coverage and called for investigations into defamatory reporting.
The resolution emphasized the need for educating passengers about weather-related disruptions and their implications on flight schedules.
Airlines were reminded to provide adequate care during disruptions, including refreshments, rerouting options, hotel accommodation, and swift processing of refunds.
Complaints about delayed, lost, or pilfered luggage must also be addressed promptly, with appropriate compensation provided.
The communique signed by NCAA Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mr. Michael Achimugu, outlined these resolutions, stressing the need for collaboration among all stakeholders to create a more efficient and passenger-friendly aviation sector.
With these measures in place, authorities aim to restore order and professionalism in airport operations, ensuring a smoother travel experience for passengers while addressing their concerns effectively.