The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has warned passengers whose flights were either delayed or cancelled as result of the non- availability of aviation fuel also known as Jet A1 to report to the Consumer Protection Officers at the various airports instead of destroying airport facilities.
The regulatory body gave the warning today in an online statement signed by the General Manager, Public Relations, Mr Sam Adurogboye.
According to the NCAA, the warning became necessary following reports of passengers’ rage and violence from some of the nation’s airports in the last few days.
Adurogboye stated that in some cases irate passengers had resorted to wanton destruction of certain facilities at airports.
He said that the regulatory authority agrees absolutely with the passengers that the conditions of carriage on their tickets must be upheld by the operating airlines, adding that it is the statutory responsibility of NCAA to ensure that passengers derive value for their money.
NCAA, he posited is well primed to ensure that all aggrieved passengers’ complaints such as flight cancellations, delays, missing baggage, denied boarding among others are professionally handled by its Consumer Protection Officers.
The agency however, informed passengers that it is aware of the prevailing scarcity of Jet A1, which has inevitably led to flight cancellations and delays by the airlines.
The regulatory body, the spokesman, said has also taken cognisance of concerted efforts being made by airlines to ensure that passengers are ferried without any hitches.
He stated that the Federal Government of Nigeria was already engaging stakeholders involved with the procurement and distribution of aviation fuel to ensure availability in earnest, calling on passengers to exercise caution while expressing their grievances as the airlines are grappling with the challenges thrown up by the non- availability of Jet A1.
NCAA called on the airline operators to ensure they adhere strictly to the Standard and Recommended Practices (SARPs) in their operations and that passengers must be informed of any development concerning their flights well ahead of time.
Recalled that there have been delays and cancellation of flights by domestic airlines in the country occasioned by the non availability of aviation fuel which is in its third week.