FG to examine air passenger service fees – The Federal Government inaugurated on Tuesday two committees on aeronautical charges as well as aircraft accident reports status.
It directed the committee on aviation charges to, as a matter of urgency, ensure the review of passenger service charges in order to determine factors responsible for the disparity between what were being charged in the country and those of other countries with similar regional conditions.
The second committee was charged to collate all reports on aviation industry aircraft accidents from 2000 to date.
This, it said, was with a view to determining the status of all such reports and to do a gap analysis to determine the extent of compliance with approved recommendations.
Speaking during the inauguration at the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Aviation in Abuja, the Minister of Aviation, Mr. Osita Chidoka, gave both committees four weeks to submit their findings.
Explaining the reason behind the setting up of the aeronautical charges committee, he said passengers had complained about the charges imposed on them by aviation companies.
Chidoka said, “We want to ensure that passengers and all users of our airport facilities are paying service charges that are comparable to what is obtainable across the world and across our neighbouring countries. Customers have largely complained and we have listened to their complaints about the numerous charges.
“So, we decided to find out and to investigate what are these charges in the aviation sector that we are paying in relation to other places. My job as a minister is to monitor, measure and to improve. So, we are inaugurating this committee to review all Nigeria aviation industry charges and I will add the passenger charges from when the passenger goes to the airport through the tollgate and also when he comes back.
“This is to determine the factors behind the charges, determine the factors responsible for the charges and to cross check with those of other countries with similar regional area conditions.”
He said the development was aimed at making the industry competitive and “reversing the current trend, which is not in alliance with the global trend, and also ensure that passengers get value for money.”
On the accident reports’ committee, he said, “This committee is a product of our renewed efforts to focus on safety and the security of Nigerian passengers.”
Chidoka said after studying the ministry’s handover notes, he concluded that it was important to take a review of the accident report status.
He said, “This is with the objective to determine the status of all aircraft accident reports from 2000 to date. We will do a gap analysis with a view to determining the extent of compliance with all approved recommendations.
“We know that reports have been written and recommendations have been made, but we want to be sure that the aviation industry and all the aviation companies are implementing those recommendations and complying with them to avert future occurrences. Every accident is an opportunity for learning.
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