Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority have kept the promise they made during Centre for Ability, Rehabilitation and Empowerment CARE engagement with Aviation official and airline operators on Friday in Abuja.
Today, it has announced and almost all the airlines have complied except two airlines who have till the end of work today to reflect it on their website.
NCAA in a public hearing organized by House Committee on Disabilities and Special Needs to address the Complaints of PWDs against Aviation Sector, Capt. Chris Ona Najomo, Director, Air Transport Regulation, NCAA representing the DG, NCAA said that NCAA has approved and mandated all airlines to stop compelling PWDs to travel with aides and asked them to include in their website option of passengers who need special assistance at the airport to indicate the kind of assistance they need.
He said that the Deadline for Compliance is 4PM today 26th April 2022.
All the airlines present indicated that they have complied to the directive except two airlines who have till the end of day to comply.
Ironically, Dana Air that a lot of persons with disabilities have accused of mandating them to buy two tickets whenever they are traveling have complied.
Before filling of this report, TQM visited these airlines websites and found out that Dana Air among others have complied.
This is a victory for Disability Community, they fought hard and they are winning.
To ensure compliance and access to the facilities at airport in accordance with the provisions of Disability Rights Act, House Committee on Disabilities and special needs alongside Organizations of Persons With Disabilities (OPDs) would be embarking on oversight function at the Abuja airport in the month of June, 2022.
This is another milestone by CARE’s Accessible Aviation project supported by Oxfam Voice.
