Toscad News Airline Operators of Nigeria have blamed the incessant flight delays in the country on poor infrastructure and circumstances beyond their control.
The Chairman of United Nigeria Airline, Mr Obiora Okwonkwo, gave the reasons at a public hearing organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation in Abuja.
Mr Okonkwo said 80-90 per cent of the time when flights are delayed, it had nothing to do with the airlines and the reasons are beyond the operators.
According to him, nobody will have aircraft, pilots and other members of staff and will delay flights which is the only means of making money.
Okwonkwo said sometimes, it takes time to get clearance from the airport authorities before the flight can take off.
He revealed other factors which included late arrival by VIPs, weather condition, limited space for aircraft to taxi out as well as late supply of fuel
“When you put all these together, you will discover that the airlines are facing a lot in silence.
“We are not allowed to tell the passengers, we are only to say, the delay is as a result of operational reasons.
The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr Rabiu Yadudu said the agency was at the hearing to listen to all stakeholders.
Mr Yadudu, observed that all the reasons put forward by the operators occurs in all airports of the world and cannot be responsible for the 10 hours delays reported by passengers.
FRCN
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