The Senate has moved to curb the practice of restricting commercial aircraft from landing at Nigerian airports whenever flights conveying Very Important Persons (VIPs) are expected, warning that the growing trend poses serious risks to aviation safety.
The lawmakers expressed concern that commercial aircraft were frequently compelled to remain airborne pending the arrival or landing of VIP flights, even when aviation authorities had prior knowledge of the scheduled movements.
The Senate warned that such restrictions, particularly when imposed without strict consideration for established safety protocols, could trigger a major aviation disaster.
The intervention followed a motion sponsored by Senator Isah Jibrin, who drew attention to the dangers associated with the practice following a recent experience.
The lawmakers noted that poor management of landing schedules and airspace could have grave consequences, especially where an aircraft held in the air develops an emergency, runs critically low on fuel or encounters adverse weather conditions.
They warned that forcing commercial aircraft into prolonged holding patterns to accommodate VIP movements could unnecessarily expose passengers and crew members to avoidable danger.
Consequently, the Senate mandated its Committee on Aviation to engage relevant aviation agencies, including the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
The committee is expected to ensure that the agencies comply with the Senate’s safety resolutions and established operational procedures governing aircraft movements and airport operations.
The Senate also urged airlines to consider diverting to alternative airports where necessary rather than keeping their aircraft in prolonged holding patterns while awaiting clearance to land.
The intervention comes amid growing concerns over the need to prioritise passenger safety and operational discipline in Nigeria’s aviation sector, irrespective of the status of passengers aboard incoming flights.
