Senate Summons Aviation Minister Over Rising Flight Delays, Cancellations

By: Aremu Toyeebaht

The Senate on Wednesday summoned Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Director General Captain Chris Najomo and other key stakeholders amid growing concern over persistent flight delays and cancellations across Nigeria.

The action follows a motion by Senator AbdulFatai Buhari (APC, Oyo North), directing the Senate Committee on Aviation to probe the disruptions and recommend solutions to ensure reliable air travel.

Buhari said the problem is “all over the media”, stressing its impact on business and official travel. “This development is worrisome as air travel is one of the most reliable, dependable and quicker means of transportation, often undertaken for business/official purposes and to keep other scheduled appointments, which are usually time bound,” he said.

He warned that “unwarranted flight delays and cancellations will be counterproductive to the socio-economic growth and development of this country.” Buhari emphasized the NCAA’s role under the Nigerian Civil Aviation Act, which mandates oversight to ensure airlines operate to international standards and provide value for passengers’ money.

Highlighting the link between aviation standards and economic policy, Buhari noted, “The quest for economic diversification and foreign direct investment, which are parts of the current administration’s policy thrust, will remain an illusion if the country’s aviation industry falls short of the acceptable best practices across the globe.”

The lawmaker also called for strict enforcement of Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations of 2023, which protects passengers’ rights. “Most Nigerians are not even aware that they are entitled to compensation for time lost due to unnecessary delay, hence the need for the NCAA to activate this aspect of its regulation so that airline operators will sit up and be alive to their responsibilities,” Buhari said.