Passenger Safety and Compensation: Air Peace and Aero Contractors Step Up to the Plate
In a move to ensure the welfare and satisfaction of air passengers in Nigeria, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has disclosed that several airlines, including Air Peace and Aero Contractors, have provided compensation to passengers who experienced disruptions in recent months.
According to NCAA’s official X account, a total of 220 passengers of Air Peace were compensated for various issues experienced between November 1 and November 30, 2024. The document detailing the compensation process highlights the importance of airline accountability in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
Air Peace’s compensations ranged from 25% to 65%, depending on the nature and severity of the disruption. These issues included operational problems, downgrades from business class, and technical hitches with the airline’s aircraft. In addition, delayed flights caused by the late arrival of operating aircraft, mishandling of baggage, and the temporary closure of Warri Airport also prompted the airline to provide compensation in accordance with aviation regulations.
In a related development, NCAA has also shared insights into compensation provided by Aero Contractors in 2024. According to the document, the airline offered 20 different types of compensation between February and September 2024. These compensations involved various combinations of economy and business class return tickets, as well as a sum of N1,421,390 offered by the airline’s insurance company.
A closer review of the records reveals the extent to which NCAA is committed to protecting passengers’ rights in Nigeria’s aviation sector. In a post made earlier in January, Michael Achimugu, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at NCAA, emphasized key aspects of passenger rights and airline responsibilities. According to him, in the case of missing baggage on domestic routes, airlines have up to seven days to locate and return the bag.
Furthermore, Achimugu clarified that if a flight is delayed or canceled due to weather conditions, the airline is not liable to offer compensation. The director also emphasized the importance of passengers arriving early for their flights, as in cases of late arrival or no-show, passengers seeking a refund will only be eligible based on the type of ticket they hold. Moreover, non-refundable tickets will not be subject to refunds and will be handled strictly according to the terms and conditions of the ticket, without exceptions.
The move by Air Peace and Aero Contractors to compensate passengers highlights the airline industry’s growing commitment to ensuring passenger welfare and satisfaction in Nigeria. This development, coupled with NCAA’s emphasis on passenger rights, is a significant step towards building trust and confidence in the nation’s aviation sector.
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