NCAA's Director assuages passengers rage over flight cancellation

 

NCAA's Director assuages passengers rage over flight cancellation 

......Acting DG to meet airlines on mitigation efforts 

The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Mr Michael Achimugu has intervened to avoid a bedlam at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Thursday evening as passengers affected by cancelled flights expressed their disenchantment threatening to go violent.

The passengers had spent hours on end at the departure awaiting announcements for departure that never came.

Achimugu who walked into the charged scene , inadvertently , while trying to catch a flight out of the terminal said , he had to engage the enraged passengers for about 20 minutes educating them on the probable cause of the delay, which he emphasized could be weather related.

According to information gleaned from his social media handle - X- , Achimugu promised to reach out to the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET), if the climatic conditions was not safe to aircraft to take off, affirming that airlines could not be held liable in the event of a force majure.

To demonstrate its concern for the plight of passengers, Achimugu said the Acting Director General of NCAA, Captain Chris Najomo will have a meeting with Chief Executive Officers of all domestic airlines in Lagos on mitigation effects and other interventions.

Achimugu shared his experience encounter :"  I walked into the scene this evening while trying to catch a flight myself. Passengers were really angry and threatening to become violent. 

" I personally addressed them and engaged for about 20 minutes, explaining that I would confirm from NiMET if the weather was truly bad. I also explained that the airline does not have liability in the event of force majeure. Despite this, here are the measures I took.

" I insisted that the airline provide transportation back to Central area for all passengers.  I personally paid for nearby accommodation  - Peace Media Hotel - for a few elderly passengers who looked too weak after the lengthy wait."

He said the intervention by his office has paid off as the affected  airline agreed to pay 50 per cent compensation to the passengers and agreed to also refund those who sought a refund.

Achimugu went on :"  I told the passengers that they could redeem that 50 percent by cash rather than rebate if they wanted.

"I opened my phone and let as many passengers as possible to scan the NCAA QR code for passengers complaints, and told them to contact me if the airline fails to resolve their complaints by tomorrow morning. 

"I just announced two nights ago the initiation of enforcement action against FIVE airlines. This will be the first time in more than 10 years that such action is being taken by the Consumer Protection Department of the NCAA. How can you say that nothing is being done by the Authority? 

" I have immediately written to the Nigerian Meterological Agency (NiMET) to begin to send directly to my office, daily weather reports to enable me ascertain quickly if an airline lies about weather. 

"Tomorrow morning in Lagos, the Director-General of the NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo is cutting short an important assignment to meet with all the CEOs of domestic airlines in Nigeria .This is proof that the Authority cares! 

"Three days ago, I voted some money from my hard-earned salary to some indigent passengers owed refunds by a certain airline whose current situation is critical. I didn't owe anybody such a courtesy, and it is not sustainable, but it simply shows that the NCAA under Capt. Najomo is humane. 

"A lot of disruptions are not caused by the airlines. The solutions must be holistic, and my Honourable Minister @fkeyamo has shown Sterling leadership by resolving the capacity problem that crippled the industry for years.

" Now, he is focusing on calibrating sunset airports with instrument landing systems and other projects. "That way, certain airports will not refuse to clear airlines after dark. He has broken the industry from the doldrums of decadence it was forced into. 

"Be patient with him. The industry will not be perfect in just one year, but significant progress has been made. 

"No, it is not one particular airline. I am the one receiving the complaints, so I know better than most people do. 

"Take, for instance, the day of the Allied aircraft crash landing. The runway was shut for 4 hours or so. EVERY airline had a 5-hour delay. On the 24th, I witnessed delay announcement from three airlines. 

" I appreciate feedback and will continue to use same to improve the travel experience of passengers. Our passengers deserve better and will get what they deserve."