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Passenger maltreatment: NCAA threatens to sanction airlines

By on May 14, 2014

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has warned airline operators against activities inimical to customers’ safety and protection.

According to the agency, issues regarding passenger safety and full compliance with international standards will be taken seriously.

The Acting Director-General, NCAA, Mr. Benedict Adeyileka, said this while presenting an Airline Operators’ Certificate to Azman Air Services Limited in Lagos on Monday.

He noted that it was not the function of the NCAA alone to keep safe flights, adding that it was the responsibility of everyone, including the operators, to maintain safety standards.

Adeyileka said, “Any non-compliance by operators will be sanctioned and violations will not be tolerated. It is the duty of airlines to manage their passengers as well as maintain safety in the industry.

“If you have delays, you should ensure that the customers are treated well. Do not wait till the passengers start complaining or calling the NCAA or the Presidency. The passengers must be respected. Be pro-active; don’t come to a situation where passengers will start to fight your crew; that will endanger your safety.”

The NCAA boss said that the Nigerian aviation sector had capacity for more airlines, adding that there was enough passenger load in the country and, therefore, room for more operators.

“If you can guard against ill treatment of passengers; then, your operations will survive. We have passenger load in Nigeria, you don’t need to fight another airline for passengers; just do your home work because once passengers say your airline is safe, the sky is your limit,” he said.

Addressing the management of Azman, Adeyileka said even though the airline had succeeded in acquiring the AOC, it should do its best to maintain it, especially as its entry was at a time when regulations for passenger protection had been put in place.

He also advised airlines to invest in training and acquisition of good equipment, adding that any airline that was not in good condition would not be allowed to fly.

In his speech, the President, Azman, Alhaji Abdulmunaf Yunusa, commended the NCAA for its efforts during the certification process.

He urged potential airline operators to go through the rigid process of certification, saying that his airline commenced the process in 2009.

“We will be starting with two Boeing 737-classic from Lagos to Kano, Lagos to Abuja, Abuja to Kaduna and Lagos to Kaduna,’’ Yunusa said.

He said that the airline would start operations on May 15 and add more routes in June.

 

[Punch]