FG To Address Exorbitant Airfares, Flight Delays

The Federal Government has set up a joint technical committee to address some consumer-related issues like exorbitant airfares, insensitive flight delays, cancellations of flights and other unfair practices in the aviation industry.

The technical committee comprises the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), stated Mr. Babatunde Irukera, the Executive Vice Chairman of FCCPC.

Recall that the aviation industry has been in the news over increment in airfares by over 100%, regular flight delays, cancellation of flights without adequate compensation to the passengers.

Investors King understands that other issues to be addressed were the level of responsiveness of airlines when unavoidable delays and flight cancellations happen. Irukera declared that these are important issues to be addressed following the risky nature of the various highways due to rising insecurities.

Mr. Irukera, who felt remorse over the high rate of complaints and dissatisfaction the industry has received from their customer, further stated that it is high time the industry strengthen the collaboration between the FCCPC and NCAA.

He disclosed that FCCPC decided to engage NCAA immediately after they got the information about the increment in airfare, and hope that their engagement will yield a good result.

In his words, the Director-General of the NCAA, Capt. Musa Nuhu stated that his organization will work with the FCCPC and all stakeholders in the aviation industry to address the highlighted consumer-related issues.

He also assures that the joint committee will make sure that passengers are fairly treated and protected from indiscriminate flight cancellations and delays, as well as airfare increment.

He added that airlines must submit requests to the NCAA at least seven days before any increment can be implemented.

According to Captain Nuhu  NCAA is to review the increment by considering several factors that are used to determine pricing in the aviation sector. He, however, promised to make sure the airlines complied with the process.