FG mulls mobile courts at airports

…Extends operational hours

By Chinelo Obogo

The federal government is set to establish mobile courts at airports to tackle rising cases of thuggery and other criminal behaviours by unruly passengers.

The proposal comes in response to frequent incidents of aggression, including physical attacks on airline and airport staff during flight delays and cancellations.

Additionally, to reduce disruptions, particularly at airports with limited operating hours, authorities have agreed to extend airport operational times until 10 p.m, aiming to alleviate the impact of delays, especially during harmattan season.

Lately, frustrated passengers, often angered by flight delays or cancellations, resorted to physical attacks on airline employees and destruction of airport property. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) expressed strong disapproval of such actions.

In addition to mobile courts, stakeholders agreed to extend operational hours at sunset airports – those that typically operate between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. due to limited night-flying facilities – to 10 p.m. This decision aims to mitigate cancellations caused by delays at destination airports, particularly Lagos and Abuja, which frequently result in disruptions to flights heading to airports with restricted hours.

The new measures were announced during a stakeholders’ meeting organized by the NCAA at its Lagos Annex. The gathering, which sought to address widespread flight disruptions caused by harmattan weather and operational challenges, included representatives from FAAN, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), and the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON).

The Managing Director of FAAN, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, and AON Vice-President, Mr. Allen Onyema, who also serves as CEO of Air Peace, were among those in attendance.

A communique issued at the end of the meeting and signed by NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mr. Michael Achimugu, outlined the resolutions reached.

The communique condemned the increasing incidents of unruly passenger behavior, which it described as a threat to the safety and security of aviation workers and facilities. It stated:

“AVSEC officials are to deploy promptly during passenger agitations at airports and de-escalate aggression professionally. Sensitization campaigns against unruly passenger behavior will also be jointly conducted by NCAA and FAAN, with a public statement to be issued.”

The communique further revealed that mobile courts would ensure swift prosecution of offenders, thereby discouraging future incidents.

The meeting also addressed safety and operational issues, including measures to reduce bird strikes near airports through improved waste management and environmental controls. “Efforts are underway with local leaders to address waste management and other environmental issues near airports, to help reduce bird strike risks,” the communique noted.

Additionally, stricter security measures will be enforced to prevent unauthorised access to tarmacs. Stakeholders believe that the implementation of these measures will not only curb unruly passenger behavior but also enhance operational efficiency and passenger satisfaction across Nigeria’s aviation sector.