By Dickson Pat
Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ,NCAA, Michael Achimugu has clarified that airline passengers are not entitled to compensation for weather-induced flight delays and cancellations. Achimugu said this on Saturday in a tweet.
In a recent stakeholders’ meeting, the Director-General of the NCAA, Captain Chris Najomo, said that in September 2024, airlines operated 5,291 flights with 2, 434 delays and 79 cancellations.
Domestic airlines, however recorded 5,513 flights with 2,791 delays and 111 cancellations.
Achimugu said, “In the case of missing baggage on domestic routes, the airline has up to seven days to search for your bag.
“In the case of delay or cancellation of a flight due to weather, the airline does not owe you compensation.
“You must be at the airport early for your flight. Turning up late ,no-show, and demanding a refund is only subject to the type of ticket the passenger has purchased. Non-refundable tickets will not be treated with sentiments”.
He explained that passengers are entitled to compensation when the airlines are responsible for the delay or cancellation.
“You will be entitled to compensation. Delays beyond six hours are entitled to compensation”, he added.
Recall that the Federal Government has begun a campaign for tougher penalties for airlines over flight delays and cancellations.
In a meeting, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala-Usman urged the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the NCAA to revisit a draft policy proposing stricter sanctions on airlines for the increasing number of flight delays and cancellations.
