• Air Peace blames flight disruptions on false alarm, weather, bird strike

Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has warned domestic airlines of tougher sanctions for breaches of aviation regulations, saying there would be no sentiments or sacred cows in the enforcement of rules governing airline operations.

The NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, gave the warning in his verified X handle yesterday.

Achimugu maintained that the regulatory agency would intensify enforcement against airlines that failed to comply with prescribed operational and consumer protection requirements.

He specifically directed airlines experiencing Aircraft-On-Ground (AOG) to reduce their operations, rather than continue to sell tickets beyond their capacity and subsequently leave passengers stranded or subjected to prolonged delays.

According to him, airlines must also comply with mandatory passenger welfare requirements whenever flights are delayed.

Achimugu stated that passengers affected by delays of two hours must be provided with light refreshments, while those facing delays of six hours are entitled to a proper meal.

He added that where a delay extends until 10 p.m., affected passengers should be provided accommodation, except in circumstances where the passenger resides in the affected city, which he said was also subject to applicable conditions.

MEANWHILE, Air Peace has attributed the recent flight delays and cancellations experienced across some of its operations to a false fire alarm, adverse weather, bird strike, technical issues and delays in the availability of aviation fuel.

The airline, in a statement by its Chief Operating Officer (COO), Oluwatoyin Olajide, yesterday, apologised to passengers affected by the disruptions, regretting the frustration and inconvenience caused by the development.

According to Olajide, one of its aircraft was grounded following an inadvertent false fire alarm, while another aircraft was taken out of service for days after suffering a bird strike.

It added that adverse weather conditions also resulted in diversions, delays and, in some cases, outright cancellations across its operations.

The airline further cited technical issues that required mandatory checks and maintenance, as well as delays in the availability of aviation fuel in some instances, as contributing factors to the disruptions.

Olajide emphasised that while some of the circumstances were beyond its immediate control, the airline recognised the impact on passengers and was taking steps to minimise the consequences of the operational challenges.

The statement, however, maintained that safety always remained its priority, saying it would not release an aircraft for service until its technical teams and relevant safety procedures had established that the aircraft was fit to fly.