Passengers groan as scarcity of fuel stalls airlines operations

Customers’ patronage at the nation’s airports has remained all time low due to scarcity of aviation fuel which has compelled the airlines to operate skeletal services.

MARKETING EDGE was at the various terminals of the Murtala Muhammed Airport and observed that virtually all the airlines had low patronage as many of the passengers were reluctant to purchase tickets knowing that they may be in an endless waiting game at the airport.

This situation has equally led a sharp drop in revenue for terminal operators since the volume of traffic at the airport affect sales either positively or negatively at the airport.
However, the regulatory body, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), has given assurance that the government was doing everything possible to end the scarcity just as they appeal to customers to be patient that the ugly situation would soon be a thing of the past.

NCAA’s General Manager Public Affairs, Mr. Sam Adurogboye, said that passengers experiencing flights delays and cancellation should exercise patient as the situation would soon be resolved.
Adurogboye added that the appeal has become necessary due to reports of passengers’ rage at the nation’s airport in the last few days.

He said that in some cases irate passengers have resorted to wanton destruction of certain facilities at the airports to ventilate their anger.
Adurogboye said: “The Regulatory Authority agrees absolutely with the passengers that the conditions of carriage on their tickets must be upheld by the operating airlines. In other words, it is our statutory responsibility to ensure that passengers derive value for their money.

“In addition, NCAA is well primed to ensure that all aggrieved passengers’ complaints are professionally handled by our Consumer Protection Officers. These include flight cancellations, delays, missing baggage, denied boarding, among others.”
The regulatory authority added that it was aware of the prevailing scarcity of Jet A1 which has inevitably led to flight cancellations and delays by the airlines, adding that it has also taken cognisance of concerted efforts being made by the airlines to ensure that all passengers are ferried without any hitches.