The Federal Government has approved the payment of compensation by airline operators to passengers for delayed and cancelled flights which are not attributed to natural occurrences.
Minister for Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who disclosed this at a meeting with airline operators in Abuja on Monday, said henceforth, any domestic airline that cancels or delays flights without natural causes, will be compelled to pay compensation to the affected passengers.
“On delayed flights, I want to speak for the ordinary Nigerians who complain every day about delayed, cancelled flights,” Keyamo said.
Speaking on complaints lodged by the airline operators, the Minister said:
“I know you have said all your reasons. You have blamed the government and a few things we do. But I also want to say that it is not all the time that it is government.
“At times, you say you were waiting for passengers to finish passing through the screening machine. At times, they have finished passing through screening machines. They are waiting in the lounge for five hours and you cancel you will pay compensation.
“So, you see, after some time, we will start implementing the provisions of the NCAA Act. You know, Nigerians don’t know there is compensation for delay. If it is an act of God, you cannot pay.
“But if it is human fault, the NCAA Act says you will pay. So, for all airline operators, while I have praised and supported you, I will also support Nigerians. You will pay them. After some time, I will put my feet on the ground. Pay them when you delay, cancel their flight.”