(Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos. Photo Credit: Puch news)
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has reaffirmed that when flights are canceled or delayed, travelers have a right to accommodations, refreshments, and communication assistance.
The FCCPC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, stated on Tuesday’s episode of The Morning Brief on Channels TV that the regulations are part of the airlines’ duty to protect consumers.
“You should receive refreshments if your flight is delayed. You should get airtime after a few more hours of delay, he stated.
According to what we understand from the literature and the legislation, you should be granted airtime since it appears that you are at least in distress. Therefore, you will have to be assisted to that extent.”
He emphasized that airlines are obliged to act responsibly in helping stranded travelers, and that the degree of care owed to passengers increases with the length and severity of the disruption.
He claims that circumstances involving sudden cancellations following lengthy wait times would call for extra assistance, such as lodging and transportation.
“Even outside of the law, it is necessary when it comes to abruptly canceling the flight and you had kept customers throughout that time,” he stated.
“The airport is quite far from the town or city, so even if you were in a different climate, you could tell that transportation will be provided in such a situation.”
Aside from that, accommodations could be offered in specific situations. In order to ascertain what ought to have been granted and what has been refused, we might simply compare this with the actual circumstances.
Ijagwu added that every complaint is evaluated according to its unique circumstances, such as the length of the passenger wait and the airline’s response.
The FCCPC’s stance coincides with an increase in passenger complaints over frequent cancellations, rescheduling, and delays at Nigerian airports.
Recently, airlines regularly rescheduled flights at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport without offering transportation or overnight accommodations, leaving customers stranded.
The issue has been connected to the growing price and shortage of Jet A1 aviation fuel, which has had a big impact on airline operations.
The price of aviation fuel has increased from approximately ₦900 per litre to over ₦3,300 in just a few weeks, according to the Airline Operators of Nigeria, who had previously issued a warning about a potential closure.
Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, responded by saying that raising fares might be necessary to maintain domestic airlines.
According to airline operators, present revenues are insufficient to meet operating costs, especially fuel, and they have warned that if the pressure is not relieved, flights may be disrupted