Some Max Air staff were on Wednesday attacked by passengers
whose flight were delayed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
But, AON, in a press statement by its President, Alhaji
Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina, a copy of which was made available to newsmen, 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 of flight 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.
“AON understands the frustrations whenever a flight is
delayed or cancelled and we apologize 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% 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,” he said.
The association expressed regret that the attack took place
despite that the airport vicinity was a sensitive and sacrosanct environment
where people are not allowed to behave in callous and uncontrollable manner
even as it 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
flight 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 flight
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 stated.
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