KLM, Emirates to compensate passengers over delays, cancellations

By Faith Yahaya, AbujaThe Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has assured passengers whose flights were cancelled or delayed by Emirates and KLM airlines they would be compensated.The airlines have over the last two weeks failed to fly passengers out of Nigeria.They recently introduced a new measure as part of moves to curb the importation of coronavirus.They had mandated intending passengers to do a rapid diagnostic test four hours before boarding.Following the unavailability of logistics by the Nigerian authorities to do the test as requested by both airlines, the airlines refused to fly passengers out of Nigeria but they have continually brought in passengers into the country.Speaking on Monday in Abuja at the weekly briefing by the members of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, the Director General of NCAA, Captain Musa Nuhu, said talks were ongoing with the airlines and the countries.He said: We have been having some issues with two airlines; namely Emirates and KLM who have not been flying passengers out of Nigeria for two weeks. They have only been flying passengers into Nigeria.Shortly before this, they requested to conduct rapid test four hours before departure and at that point in time, we were not ready with the logistics for the request from the countries.Shortly after that, they stopped and for a couple of days, some passengers really went through difficult times without notice of cancellation of their flight.The Minister of Aviation and NCAA had discussions with the airlines, state authorities concerning the unfavourable treatment of Nigerians and they are certainly going to compensate all passengers whose flight were cancelled or delayed with short notice.He continued: Discussion is ongoing with the airlines, state authorities and both ministry of foreign affairs and NCAA on ways to resolve the issues.We will go back to the authorities of this country and also the airlines with a deadline to give further information to help the PTF resolve this issue once and for all in the very near future.So, once we get the information, then the PTF will take its own decision on what actions to take on the issue of not flying passengers out of Nigeria.He also said countries where Ebola cases have been reported have been put on alert and advised on safety measures.
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