Capt. Musa Nuhu, the director general of the NCAA, pleaded with the striking aviation unions to give the federal government a chance to fix the situation.
According to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), whenever an airline cancels a flight, passengers will soon begin to receive a 100% immediate reimbursement.
Capt. Musa Nuhu, director general of the NCAA, stated during a Tuesday appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily program that this will take effect once a new regulation in the works is approved by the government.
The head of Nigeria’s top aviation regulatory organization said that flight cancellations and delays cost the aviation industry over a billion naira in lost revenue, but he could not provide a timeline to support his claim.
Strike starts day two.
Additionally, Nuhu stated that coordinated efforts had been undertaken to put an end to the continuing strike by aviation workers at airports across the nation.
Numerous flights have been impacted nationwide, and thousands of domestic and international passengers have been left stranded as a result of Monday’s airport closures in Nigeria due to protesting aviation unions’ refusal to release the revised Condition of Service and their plans to demolish Dominion and EAN hangars, among other things.
Many passengers have continued to be on the receiving end of the two conflicting elephants—the Federal Government and the striking unions—during the industrial action, which reached day 2 on Tuesday.
The NCAA boss responded on Tuesday when asked if customers might get refunds for tickets bought earlier before the strike to plan for alternative modes of transportation, “It should be promptly. We are now evaluating our policies to see how things have been done in the past regarding the number of days for a refund in the event that my flight is cancelled.
“What we have in the new regulation that will be signed into law very soon when it’s all cleaned up is that if you cancel my flight, you should put me on another flight or give me the option of getting a refund immediately so that I can make other plans.”
“We would not exist without the passengers. Our salaries are funded by the passengers. The majority of the NCAA’s total revenue, 80% or more, comes from the 5% that passengers pay. Therefore, they cover our salary,” said Nuhu.
According to him, flight disruptions during the strike have cost airlines money directly and indirectly.
“Undoubtedly, billions. A lot is lost when travellers miss their connections, both directly to the airlines and indirectly to the economy. I am unable to say, but I can assure you that it is in the billions. a minimum of over a billion. I believe I am being overly cautious,” he stated.
FG To Meet With Unions On Strike
Additionally, Nuhu stated that coordinated attempts have been made to end the strike, pleading with the different unions to give the Federal Government the chance to put the situation to rest.
The National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP), and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), among others, are among the unions that are on strike.
The unions, the Head of Service, the Attorney General of the Federation, and the Budget Office will meet, according to the NCAA’s top official.
“I can appreciate the union’s dissatisfaction, but by going on strike, this strike will hurt innocent travelers, not the union. And those who will suffer are the airlines, ground handlers, and the aviation sector as a whole,” he added.
