7/28/2019 Airlines To Compensate Passengers For Delayed Flights,
Others.
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As NCAA implements Passengers Bill of Rights
Foreign and domestic airlines operating in the country will from
August pay heavy fines andcompensations for flight delays,
cancellations, lost baggage and other related anomalies with
thescheduled implementation of the Passengers Bill of Rights.
The Director-General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Dr.
Fola Akinkuotu, made the disclosureat an open forum held at the
NCAA's office in Lagos on Thursday.
He said the Passengers Bill of Right would be circulated to all
stakeholders in the sector beforethe end of this month.
"The Passengers Bill of Rights will come into effect before the
end of July; the passengers andairline operators will get to know
their rights and obligations. The regulator will just sit to
makesure there is compliance," Akinkuotu said.
The NCAA boss said it was high time airline operators stopped
maltreating their passengers,adding that the implementation of the
bill of rights would help put an end to unfair practices by
airlines.
He gave an assurance that the regulatory body would leave no
stone unturned in ensuring thatboth passengers and airlines were
given enough information about the bill within the next two tothree
weeks.
Akinkuotu added, "It is not good for passengers to get raw deals
from the airlines. What is saucefor the geese is also sauce for the
gander. We have a responsibility to ensure that the bil l of
rightsworks.
"We need to make sure passengers get good deals and value for
their money. We need to let
them know that air transport is the best way to go, and that
they will get good deals and value formoney."
The bil l of rights was first introduced to stakeholders early
last year in Lagos.
NCAA had said then that the new set of rights applied to
passengers departing from an airportlocated within the Nigerian
territory to another airport within the country; passengers
departingfrom an airport located in another country to an airport
situated within Nigeria; and to foreign airtransportation with
respect to non-stop flight segments originating at a point within
the country.
The regulatory body, however, noted that the new regulations
would not apply to
passengers traveling free of charge or at reduced fares not
available directly or indirectlyto the general public.
It said the rule would apply to passengers having tickets issued
under a frequent flyerprogramme or other commercial programmes by
an air carrier or tour operator.
Akinkuotu, in his first public appearance after his confirmation
as the new DG of NCAA, said hewould work with the airlines
operators if they followed the rules.
He said the regulatory body would have a human face, just as it
would not tolerate any unlawfulact from any operator or service
provider.
Akinkuotu and his team assured operators at the open forum that
NCAA would do everythingpossible to move the sector forward.
The DG also said the agency would make the process of
registering aircraft in the country easier.
