NCAA Threatens to Sanction Aero over Maltreatment of Passengers

 Director General of NCAA, Capt. Fola Akinkuotu

• Arik says air return for safety precaution

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has commenced proceedings to sanction Aero Contractors over its shoddy treatment of passengers last Saturday.

The airline was reported to have delayed passengers who were to travel by its 5pm flight from Abuja to Lagos until midnight after  which it peremptorily cancelled the flight.
The pilot was alleged to have tactfully switched off the aircraft's engine and sneaked out of the aeroplane with the cabin crew, leaving the passengers behind.

The Director General of NCAA, Capt. Fola Akinkuotu, has instructed the Director of Consumer Protection (DCP), Adamu Abdullahi, to immediately commence proceedings towards imposing appropriate sanctions on Aero Contractors.

He was said to have given the directive after studying a report from the Directorate of Consumer Protection, which detailed how Aero Contractors Abuja to Lagos service flight No. AJ 128 was delayed repeatedly and eventually cancelled without any explanation.

The General Manager, Public Affairs, NCAA, Fan Ndubuoka, explained that the delay caused the passengers to spend the night at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, after being left on board the aircraft for about three hours.

“Therefore, the DG has moved to sanction the erring airline for failure to duly inform the passengers about the cancellation within the provision of the regulation which attracts minimum to moderate penalty.
"In addition, the failure of the airline to render assistance expected in case of cancellation would attract moderate to minimum penalty, plus prescribed compensation to the affected passengers,"  he said.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s major carrier, Arik Air, has reacted to the criticisms trailing the air return by its Lagos to Uyo flight last Thursday after taxing to take off.
  The pilot had aborted the take-off after he noticed a red light, which indicated a snag with the aircraft.

Head of Communications of the airline, Adebanji Ola, said such return to base was precautionary safety measure to ensure safe operation of flights and remarked that such actions taken by airlines should be commended instead of being derided by travellers.

“Arik Air strongly believes in on-time departure of flights but however maintains that safety will not be sacrificed at the altar of on-time departure. Safety remains the airline’s topmost priority.
“It is also important to clarify that an aircraft returning to base after taxing or take-off is a safety measure that should be commended not derided.  Though not convenient for both passengers and the airline, achieving safety comes with a price sometimes,” Ola said.

Culled from Thisday