FG Calls for Stricter Penalties on Airlines Over Flight Disruptions

The Federal Government has urged the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, along with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), to enforce tougher penalties on airlines for frequent flight delays and cancellations across the country. Hadiza Bala-Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, made the recommendation during a performance review meeting at the Ministry of Aviation in Abuja. She emphasized the need for stronger measures to protect passengers from inconveniences and financial losses caused by persistent flight disruptions. Bala-Usman highlighted inefficiencies in the Ministry’s customer engagement processes and incomplete data on service delivery, which hindered accurate assessments of progress. She also criticized the current 224-day target for resolving customer complaints as “unrealistic” and called for its revision to align with global standards for quicker dispute resolution. In response, Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, commended the recommendations and pledged to address the challenges, promising improved service delivery and stricter enforcement of aviation standards.