In a pivotal move to address the longstanding issue of delayed or cancelled flights, Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo has unveiled a comprehensive initiative set to revolutionize the aviation sector’s accountability standards.
Keyamo, who took to the podium during a media briefing, announced that a detailed list of airlines responsible for flight disruptions would be regularly published in the media as part of a robust compensation strategy. Emphasizing the critical need for transparency, the minister urged regulatory bodies to disseminate comprehensive information on delay durations and actions taken against non-compliant airlines.
“I have engaged with the Customer Satisfaction Commission regarding the treatment of Nigerians. I have reconvened with the committee, underscoring my deep concern. As stated in my previous addresses during stakeholder meetings in Lagos and our retreat in Warri,” affirmed Keyamo.
The minister proposed a weekly publication featuring information on cancelled and delayed flights, including the duration of delays, compensation details, and regulatory actions taken against airlines. This initiative is slated to commence in January, marking a significant step towards enhanced accountability.
As part of the compensation strategy, Keyamo suggested a deduction from the flight tickets of airlines responsible for delays. He recommended the application of discounts to tickets purchased by affected passengers, providing a tangible form of compensation.
“For every delay, there is a report mandated by the regulator. If compensation is not provided in cash, we propose that a 50% or 40% rebate be applied when the passenger purchases the next ticket. This ensures that passengers are duly compensated,” stated Keyamo.
Highlighting the financial constraints faced by the government, Keyamo stressed the imperative of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) for the development of Nigerian airports. He asserted that PPP is non-negotiable, given the insufficient funds for independent government initiatives.
“Public-Private Partnership must come to the fore. It is not negotiable; we don’t have the funds to do so. In concession, we will give the people what we want, not what they want. We have to decide what we want,” concluded Keyamo.
