Jet A1 Scarcity: Nigeria CAA Beseeches Passengers

…Airlines should communicate with passengers

It is obvious that  passengers around Nigeria airports are not happy with hitches on their itinerary as a result of shortage of aviation fuel. The regulatory authority in charge of  aviation, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has called on all passengers who are experiencing the attendant flight delays and cancellations arising from the scarcity of Aviation fuel to exercise restraint.

According to NCAA through its  spokesman, Samuel Adurogboye, “this call is necessary due to reports of passengers’ rage and violence from some of the nation’s airports in the last few days. In some cases irate passengers have resorted to wanton destruction of certain facilities at the airports.

The Regulatory Authority agrees absolutely with the passengers that the conditions of carriage on their tickets must be upheld by the operating airlines. In other words, it is our statutory responsibility to ensure that passengers derive value for their money.”

Adurogboye said NCAA is well primed to ensure that all aggrieved passengers’ complaints are professionally handled by their Consumer Protection Officers, which includes flight cancellations, delays, missing baggage, denied-boarding and so on.

Registering its awareness, NCAA said it is well aware of the prevailing scarcity of Jet A1 which has inevitably led to flight cancellations and delays by the airlines.

Ameliorating existing challenge, Adurogboye said the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has taken cognizance of concerted efforts being made by the airlines to ensure that all passengers are ferried without any hitches. Also that, “the Federal Government of Nigeria is already engaging all the stakeholders involved with the procurement and distribution of aviation fuel to ensure availability in earnest.”

All passengers are therefore enjoined to exercise caution while expressing their grievances as the airlines are grappling with the challenges thrown up by the non- availability of Jet A1.

NCAA also called on the airline operators that they must ensure strict adherence to the Standard and Recommended Practices (SARPs) in their operations. Passengers must be informed of any development concerning their flights well ahead of time.