By Ada Nkong
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has mandated all domestic airlines operating in Nigeria to comply with its directive to incorporate a mandatory Special Needs/Assistance request feature on their ticket reservation system for Persons with Reduced Mobility (PRM) and passengers with disabilities .
A statement by Michael Achimugu Director public relations and consumer protection
recalls the authorities earlier correspondence with Reference No. NCAA/CPD/585/1/22 dated 13 April 2022, which directed all domestic airlines to conspicuously place on their online ticket reservation platforms a mandatory field, box, or column through which passengers may request assistance or give advance notice of special needs prior to ticket purchase.
The Director said the directive is further reinforced by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig. CARs) 2023, Part 19.12.3.1, which mandates that during reservation, airlines, travel agents, and tour operators shall:
• Provide travelers the opportunity to request assistance at the point of booking across all ticket sales channels, including online platforms and telephone reservations;
• Mandatorily include on ticket portals a designated field or column through which persons with disabilities or their assistants may request special needs assistance while booking or purchasing flight tickets; and
• Actively enquire whether any passenger within a booking party may require assistance at the airport and/or during flight operations.
He further said Airlines are required to comply within seven (7) days of receipt of this directive warning that non-compliance may attract regulatory enforcement in line with applicable aviation regulations
NewsAnnexOnline 