2 July 2009
editorial
DELTA Airlines poor treatment of hundreds of its passengers heading to the US appears to be the standard practice for most foreign airlines that operate into Nigeria.
The passengers were stranded at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Lagos. The plane that was supposed to convey them developed a technical fault.
A passenger's telephone call to the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority Dr. Harold Demuren was what saved the passengers. Demuren ordered Delta Airlines to put its travellers in a hotel until it fixed the plane.
British Airways also has a long history of frequent disregard of the feelings of its Nigerian customers, especially with the less-than-acceptable standards of the conduct of their staff. British Airways cabin staff members are typically snobbish towards their passengers, Nigeria is its most profitable route and keeps the airline in business.
Delta Airlines has taken poor treatment of Nigerians to new levels, with not only in the conduct of their cabin crew but also in the general standard of services they provide.
For instance, planes that the Airlines put on the Lagos-Atlanta route are not the best. They do not have individual flight entertainment sets, which many people depend upon to break the boredom of about 11 hours of flight over the Atlantic Ocean.
Some of those planes would not have been allowed on other long haul routes. In the same way, the services it provides for its Nigerians passengers would not be acceptable elsewhere. Why did Delta wait for the intervention of the authorities to cater for its stranded passengers?
Emirates, for instance, in addition to its low fares still pampers passengers with food and drinks of all sorts on demand. Delta takes the dictum, "there is no free lunch in America" to a ridiculous level. Delta Airline's attitude to Nigerians is as if it is doing them a favour by providing a direct flight to America.
Nigeria is one of the biggest markets in the world and her citizens travel extensively. They maintain a heavy presence in the Diaspora, especially America. Why is Delta reluctant to give them good services?
Most foreign airlines, in their services, have adopted the poor attitude their compatriots have towards Nigerian visa applicants.
Nigeria Airways demise and the absence of a national carrier in its stead has left Nigerian passengers at the mercy of foreign airlines, some of which should not be permitted to operate anywhere for their exemplary disdain for their passengers and aviation regulations.
These practices are unacceptable. Our aviation regulators must insist that airlines that operate into Nigeria implement best practices for the safety, comfort and satisfaction of Nigerian travellers.
Poor treatment of Nigerian passengers has been going on for too long, and unpunished, that these airlines think they can get away with anything. So far they have.
The authorities should communicate their expectations to airlines with appropriate sanctions, and more stringent ones for serial violators.
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NIGERIANS MUST LEARN TO DEMAND RESPECT FROM DELTA AND ALL THE OTHER FOREIGN AIRLINES AND COMPANY DOING BUSINESS IN NIGERIA.THESE COMPANIES COME TO NIGERIA TO MAKE MONEY AND IF WE HAVE A SYSTEM IN PLACE TO FINE THEM WE WILL GET IMPROVE SERVICES FROM THEM. ITS NOT JUST THE AIRLINES THE OIL COMPANIES ALSO,NIGERIA MUST PUT IN PLACE INDUSRIAL STANDARD TO PROTECT HER PEOPLE FROM THESE FOREIGNERS WHO THINK WE ARE SOME UNEDEUCATED AFRICANS.
Instead of looking at the way the airlines treat the passengers why don't you consider the way the passengers treat the airline. Having worked as crew and flown all over the world I can say without hesitation that Nigerian passengers are the rudest and most ill behaved passengers I've ever come across. You demand for the treatment to be first world but the people act below third world. Well come to think of it Ii get words like please and thank you from most passengers from third world cities and they're never heard on a Lagos flight. Just demands like… [Read Full Text]
Instead of looking at the way the airlines treat the passengers why don't you consider the way the passengers treat the airline. Having worked as crew and flown all over the world I can say without hesitation that Nigerian passengers are the rudest and most ill behaved passengers I've ever come across. You demand for the treatment to be first world but the people act below third world. Well come to think of it Ii get words like please and thank you from most passengers from third world cities and they're never heard on a Lagos flight. Just demands like… [Read Full Text]
I am not from the African Continent, but have travelled quite frequently to Nigeria using BA, KLM, Virgin Nigeria ,Martinair, and the former Nigerian Airways. So you can see how much I have used airlines going to Nigeria and for how many years. It behoves me whenever I am disembarking at Lagos how filthy the ailes, in front of seats are, littered with bags, blankets, you name it. I am appauled, to see how my black brothers and sisters leave these planes, almost like an upturned garbage bin. On my routes the western/south western routes, where… [Read Full Text]
Thank you for your candied editorial opinion on the subject. As a frequent trans-Atlantic traveller for many years, I agree with your assesment of the Airline issue. Every airline that services the Atlantic route to Nigeria seems to have taken their cues from British Airways and KLM.They seems to have taken customer services to a new low. We should however take time to aknowledge and commend the efforts of Virgin Atlantic Airlines and Emmirate. These two seems to understand that good customer Service- with emphasies on SERVICE is an important aspects of their business. Kudos also to the Nigeria… [Read Full Text]