NAN-H-16
Complaints
By Adekunle Williams and Solomon Asowata
Lagos, May 4, 2017 (NAN) The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) says it received a total of 67 complaints from both domestic and international air passengers in the first quarter of 2017.
The Consumer Protection Department of NCAA gave the figure in a document obtained by News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Thursday.
NAN reports that the figure was a sharp decline from the 1,536 complaints received by the regulatory authority in the first quarter of 2016.
The document indicated that some of the complaints by the passengers included overbooking, denied boarding, pilferage and discourtesy by airline employees.
It said 65 complaints were received from passengers flying international routes while only two were received from passengers on domestic routes.
According to the document, 23 of such cases were successfully resolved with compensation paid by airlines to the affected passengers during the period under review.
Mr Sam Adurogboye, General Manager, Public Relations, NCAA, in an interview with NAN, said that the agency was committed to the protection of the rights of passengers.
Adurogboye explained that the reduction in passenger complaints showed that both the airlines and their passengers were living up to their responsibilities.
He said: “the passengers have also realised that for every right there is a responsibility attached.
“For example, more passengers now arrive at the airport on time before their flight departure to avoid any issues.
“So with this alone, the complaint will reduce, and that is exactly what has happened compared to last year.’’
The NCAA spokesperson emphasised that safety remains key to aviation business and advised both airline operators and passengers to always comply with the recommended safety practices. (NAN)
WAC/ASO/FF/SOA
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Edited by Fela Fashoro/Oluwole Sogunle