Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, on Monday, said plans had been
concluded to ensure that passengers were compensated for delayed and
cancelled flights by airline operators in the country.
Speaking at the official inauguration of the Aviation Passengers
Service (APS) Portal and Helpline Number in Abuja, Chidoka said the
portal was designed to enhance efficiency and provide first hand
information on the operations of airlines and the activities of the
aviation sector in the country.
According to him, airline operators will be closely monitored on
delayed and cancelled flights through the portal “and the Aviation
Commit Initiative’’ of the ministry.
“It is not enough to say that flights are delayed; we will make sure
that failure to take off after 15 minutes will be considered as delay
and after one hour passengers will be entitled to some compensation.
“We will force the airlines to compensate passengers after six hours
delay, and if there is a delay for 12 hours, airlines will be compelled
to provide passengers with accommodation for the night.’’
The minister said that the ministry had on its own made commitments
to ensure that mails and applications from the airlines were treated
within 24 hours.
He added that plans had been concluded to make it mandatory for
passengers using Nigerian airports to carry a means of identification.
According to him, passengers using local flights must either have
international passports or driver’s licence or the national identity
card.
“What this means is that any passenger that misbehaves at the airport
could be refrained from using any aircraft in Nigeria because with the
identity, the passenger will not be allowed to get boarding pass.
“Passengers are therefore advised to behave in an orderly manner at
the airport and ensure that rules and regulations are obeyed.’’ he said.
Gisele Bundchen and Puyol
