The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced that air passengers in the country will soon be able to receive 100% refunds immediately in the event of a cancelled flight.
The new regulation, which is currently in the pipeline, will put an end to the harrowing experiences and delays that passengers have had to endure when trying to get their money refunded.
The Director General of the NCAA, Capt Musa Nuhu, made the announcement during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.
He noted that flight cancellations have been a regular feature of airline operations in the country and that passengers have had to suffer from the inconvenience and loss of earnings that come with delayed or cancelled flights.
According to Nuhu, over a billion naira in aviation earnings has been lost due to flight cancellations and delays.
The new regulation will ensure that passengers receive immediate refunds or are put on another flight in the event of a cancelled flight.
This move is a welcome development for passengers who have had to endure the inconvenience of flight cancellations without any compensation or recourse, News About Nigeria reports.
Capt. Nuhu stressed the importance of passengers to the aviation industry, noting that without them, the industry would not exist.
He explained that the majority of the revenue generated by the NCAA comes from the 5% paid by passengers and that they pay the salaries of those who work in the aviation industry.
He also stated that concerted efforts were being made to resolve the ongoing strike by aviation workers at airports all over the country.
The strike, which was declared by labour unions in the aviation sector over poor working conditions, has led to delayed or cancelled flights, leaving many passengers stranded.
The NCAA boss noted that he understood the frustration of the unions but emphasized that going on strike would only hurt innocent passengers and the aviation industry as a whole.
The Nigerian aviation industry is ripe for innovation, and the new regulation by the NCAA is a step in the right direction.
It will go a long way in improving the air travel experience for passengers, reducing the number of cancelled flights and delays, and restoring confidence in the industry.
The new regulation is expected to be signed into law soon, and passengers can look forward to a more customer-friendly aviation industry in Nigeria.
