Travel agencies call for urgent action to address safety concerns in Nigerian air travel

Nosa Osula-Aituamen

The National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) has expressed deep concern over the increasing number of near-fatal incidents in the Nigerian local travel space, calling on all stakeholders to prioritize safety and address operational concerns.

The appeal comes on the heels of a recent tyre collapse incident involving a Max Air aircraft at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, which was safely evacuated without any casualties.

The incident prompted the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to commence an organisational risk audit for all airlines operating in Nigeria.

In a statement, NANTA President, Mr. Yinka Folami, urged airline operators and government aviation regulatory agencies to put aside their differences and work together to enhance emergency response systems and ensure the safety of passengers.

“We are worried about the growing spate of near-fatal incidents in the Nigerian aviation space and the impact it has on the travelling public”.

He noted that, the association’s appeal has been echoed by some of its customers, who have expressed their anxieties and worries about the safety of air travel in Nigeria.

“We urge all stakeholders to come together and address the challenges facing the industry to restore confidence in air travel across Nigeria.”

NANTA also commended ongoing investigations into the challenges in the system, but emphasized the need for proactive measures to ensure the safety and unimpeded journeys of passengers.

“We cannot pretend that we are not concerned about the safety of our customers. We urge all stakeholders to work together to minimize risks and maximize passengers’ protection.”

NANTA emphasized that, the Nigerian travelling public is already going through a lot, and it is imperative that the industry prioritizes their safety and well-being.