The Senate has moved to address prolonged aircraft holding patterns over Nigerian airspace, raising concerns that VIP movements and security arrangements may be contributing to delays for commercial and private flights.
The lawmakers urged the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency to introduce immediate regulatory measures to prevent aircraft from spending excessive time in holding patterns before landing at Nigerian airports.
The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Senator Isah Jibrin, representing Kogi East, during plenary.
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Jibrin expressed concern over reports that commercial and private aircraft were being kept airborne for extended periods, with some holding patterns allegedly lasting between one and two hours.
Contributing to the debate, Senators Abdul Ningi, representing Bauchi Central, and Diket Plang, representing Plateau Central, questioned the adequacy of regulatory oversight of air traffic management.
They called on the relevant aviation agencies to address the situation and improve the management of Nigerian airspace to prevent unnecessary flight delays.
Following the debate, Senate President Godswill Akpabio directed the Senate Committee on Aviation to convene a meeting with the relevant agencies to investigate the complaints and recommend appropriate measures.
Akpabio also asked the NCAA to submit a list of public officials and other VIPs whose movements require airspace restrictions.
He stressed that the President should be the only individual entitled to such privileges, raising questions about the number of other public officials whose movements could disrupt regular flight operations.
The Senate's intervention is expected to put pressure on aviation regulators to review existing arrangements for VIP movements and security-related airspace restrictions.
The move is also aimed at improving air traffic management, reducing avoidable delays and ensuring that commercial and private flights are not subjected to unnecessarily prolonged holding patterns.
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