Flight Delay: Aviation Minister, Passengers Stranded for Three Hours

Dele Ogbodo The Minister of Aviation, Mr. Osita Chidoka, including several Lagos-bound passengers scheduled for Arik 736 flight from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) in Abuja were yesterday stranded for more than three hours due to flight rescheduling by operators of the airline.

A frustrated passengers scheduled for the flight who spoke to THISDAY on condition of anonymity, said such behaviour by the airline operators in the country speaks volume of the way passengers are daily subjected to such delay at the airports.

He added that it was more embarrassing that the Minister of Aviation was also supposed to board the flight, adding that even though the minister looked calm, he was obviously embarrassed by the inadequacies in the industry.

A high-ranking officer who confirmed the ugly development while speaking with THISDAY from Lagos, said: “My brother, this is very embarrassing despite the efforts of the minister to make the industry operate according to international standard. Our flight left Abuja 3p.m., with the understanding that the minister’s flight would be trailing us, but right now it is 6.22p.m., they are not here.

“The minister’s flight was scheduled for 3p.m. but later rescheduled for 5p.m. which couldn’t materialise and as we speak, it is almost 6.30p.m. One would have expected that they would arrange for another flight if there are technical hitches.”

In what appeared to be a damage control for his organisation’s shortcomings, Mr. Banji Ola, Arik’s Communications Manager, who declined THISDAY’s several calls, later in a text message sent by 7.10p.m., said: “The delay was caused by rainfall in Lagos which disrupted boarding of flights and fuelling of aircraft. Once it rains, the weather becomes inclement for flights.”

He, however, stressed that the airline was known for safe operations and would not fly if the weather is bad.

However, the flight later took off at about 6.50p.m.