SCARCITY OF AVIATION FUEL: NCAA CALLS FOR RESTRAINT

In a statement, General Manager, Public Relations, Mr. Sam Adurogboye said this call becomes necessary due to reports of passengers’ rage and violence from some of the nation’s airports in the last few days.

“In some cases irate passengers have resorted to wanton destruction of certain facilities at the airports”, he said, adding that the Regulatory Authority agrees absolutely with the passengers that the conditions of carriage on their tickets must be upheld by the operating airlines and that it is the statutory responsibility of the authority to ensure that passengers derive value for their money.

He added that NCAA is well primed to ensure that all aggrieved passengers’ complaints are professionally handled by Consumer Protection Officers.

“These includes flight cancellations, delays, missing baggage, denied boarding etc”, he said adding that passengers are well aware of the prevailing scarcity of Jet A1 which has inevitably led to flight cancellations and delays by the airlines.

He said the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has also taken cognizance of concerted efforts being made by the airlines to ensure that all passengers are ferried without any hitches.

He explained that the Federal Government of Nigeria is already engaging all the stakeholders involved with the procurement and distribution of aviation fuel to ensure availability in earnest.

“All passengers are therefore enjoined to exercise caution while expressing their grievances as the airlines are grappling with the challenges thrown up by the non- availability of Jet A1.

“On the other hand, the airline operators must ensure they adhere strictly to the Standard and Recommended Practices (SARPs) in their operations”, he said and that passengers must be informed of any development concerning their flights well ahead of time.