Senate warns VIP airport restrictions could cause disaster

The Senate has expressed grave concerns over the frequent restriction of airport operations and commercial flights to accommodate the movements of Very Important Personalities (VIPs), warning that such practices could lead to a major aviation disaster. Lawmakers emphasized that keeping passenger aircraft circling in the air for extended periods, up to an hour or more, could expose passengers and crew members to various risks, including fuel exhaustion, adverse weather conditions, air traffic congestion, and operational emergencies.

The Senate's concerns were triggered by Senator Jibrin Isa's urgent motion, which called for better coordination among aviation regulatory agencies, airport authorities, and security operatives. The lawmakers urged the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to ensure proper advance coordination and notification of planned airspace restrictions to airline operators.

They also directed that aircraft yet to depart should be kept on the ground when restrictions are unavoidable, and flight schedules and departure sequences should be adjusted to prevent planes from taking off only to be kept circling in the air.

Brief written by urgent.news from Punch's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.