The Consumer Protection Directorate (CPD) of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is organising a special end-of-year programme for residents of the South-South region of the country.
The Directorate is inviting air travellers, airline operators, and other aviation service providers to a two-day consumer awareness event in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State.
The awareness programme aims to sensitise the travelling public on their rights and obligations as passengers.
“There has been a great need, more than ever, to adopt a more robust and inclusive regulatory approach and strategic intervention mechanism in the discharge of the Authority’s mandate,” an NCAA official stated.
Studies conducted by the NCAA revealed that many passengers are unaware of their rights and obligations. The studies also noted that flight delays can sometimes result from natural phenomena, meaning that neither the airline nor airport management should be held accountable in such cases.
The program, organised in collaboration with various organisations, includes a Consumer Awareness Roadshow themed “Effective and Efficient Travel Experience Management for Increased Participation and Enhanced Regulation.” The roadshow, coordinated by Janvier Technologies Ltd., will be held on December 4, 2024, starting at 10:00 a.m. at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa.
Following the roadshow, a Town Hall meeting themed “Repositioning the Nigerian Aviation Industry for Operational Efficiency, Service Excellence, and Economic Viability” will take place.
The event, organised by GPC Limited, will adopt an interactive format to encourage passengers to share their air travel experiences in Nigeria. It will be held at LA Kings Event Centre, 31 Stadium Road, Port Harcourt.
These two events, according to the organisers, will culminate in a conference on December 5, 2024. The conference, themed “Enhancing Global Prominence and International Competitiveness of the Nigerian Aviation Sector,” is organised by Pliance Global Aviation and will be held at Osborn La-palm Royal Resort, 3 Olaka Street, off Abacha Road, GRA Phase 2, Port Harcourt.
The sensibilization campaign aligns with the renewed commitment of the NCAA’s executive management, under the leadership of Captain Chris Ona Najomo, to foster a civil aviation sector that maximally contributes to the country’s economic growth and development. “The regulatory authority is determined to close this gap through this sensitisation campaign,” the NCAA emphasised.
One key objective of the town hall interaction is to inform consumers of their rights, build a more informed customer and air travel community, and entrench a culture of service excellence across the civil aviation value chain.
“There is a greater need, more than ever, to adopt a more robust and inclusive regulatory approach and strategic intervention mechanism in discharging the authority’s mandate,” an NCAA representative reiterated.
For effective feedback from air travellers, the programme will feature random customer interviews, stakeholder engagements, and a town hall interface. This initiative aims to bridge the knowledge gap between air travellers, airlines, and aviation agencies, which in the past has led to misunderstandings and poor consumer experiences for both domestic and international passengers.
Experts will deliver papers at the conference to enhance the knowledge of air travellers and airport users on innovative ideas introduced by the current NCAA management regarding consumer protection. The conference will also shed light on passengers’ rights as outlined in the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (NCAR).
Fundamentally, this series of stakeholder engagements and public awareness programmes aim to set a roadmap for achieving a more efficient civil aviation and air transportation system in Nigeria. The dialogue will involve critical stakeholders and key actors in the country’s civil aviation and air transportation value chains.
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