Airline Operators of Nigeria(AON) has warned against further attack on airline workers by passengers over delay or cancelation of fights.
According to LEADERSHIP Newspaper, staff members of Max Air, on Wednesday were attacked by passengers whose fight were delayed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
But AON, in a press statement by the president, Alhaji Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina, and a copy made available to LEADERSHIP, expressed worry over rising threat to the lives of airline staff and their properties at Nigerian airports.
The AON president, however, said issues of delay or cancellation can be addressed in a civil manner without resorting to violence.
“The unruly passengers that went after Max Air and destroyed the computer reservation systems further exacerbated the problem for other passengers going to other destinations. Such acts are completely unacceptable,” the AON’s statement read.
He continued that, “AON understands the frustrations whenever a fight is delayed or cancelled and we apologise to passengers on behalf of airlines for such delays or cancellations. It is however instructive to note that delays happen worldwide and there are conditions that cause them.
“In Nigeria, 80 per cent of the causes of
delays and cancellations are due to factors
that are not in the control of airlines.
Airlines operating in Nigeria are forced to operate in an environment that is wrought
with infrastructure deficiencies that are highly disruptive to normal schedule reliability and on time performance.”
The association expressed regret over the
attack that took place despite the airport vicinity being a sensitive and sacrosanct environment where people are not allowed to behave in callous and uncontrollable manner, hence, called on the federal government to protect airlines against such attack.
“A situation where passengers are allowed to have access into sensitive restricted areas of the airport and attack airline staff or prevent a plane from departing to other destinations because a particular fight is delayed or cancelled puts the country in a bad light in the international community.
“AON would therefore like to appeal to passengers to express some restraint in expressing their displeasure or frustrations during fight delays or cancellation. This is because the airline, within the prevailing circumstances could be complying with a safety procedure, obeying a regulation or facing certain difficulties beyond its immediate control.
“It is also necessary to put on record that while passengers are entitled to their rights, they also have some obligations and responsibilities. For instance, Part 19 of “Nig. CARs 2012, Vol. II highlights some rights and responsibilities of passengers,” he stressed.
“Item six (6) of the NCAA’s Notice on Passenger Obligations To Airlines/Service Providers requires passengers to: “Be of good behavior at all stages of their journey,” adding that “Airlines and agencies have a zero policy for unruly behavior”.
“That all airport and airline staff deserves to be treated with respect and courtesy. An airline reserves the right to deny boarding/disembark a passenger for unruly behaviours. Pssengers are also prohibited from interfering with flight crew and aircraft attendants.”
The operators also called on the Federal government through the Ministry of Aviation and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to beef up security at the nation’s airports and ensure that the lives of airline staff and their properties are lawfully protected.
