The Senate has warned that the practice of keeping commercial aircraft airborne for hours to accommodate presidential and other Very Important Personality (VIP) movements could trigger a major aviation disaster, urging immediate measures to prevent avoidable loss of lives.
The upper chamber raised the alarm over the growing practice of restricting airport operations and closing airspace for VIP movements, forcing commercial aircraft that have already taken off to circle in the air for extended periods while waiting for clearance to land.
The lawmakers, during plenary on Tuesday, warned that prolonged delays could leave aircraft dangerously low on fuel, expose passengers and crew to adverse weather conditions and create additional risks, particularly during the approaching harmattan season.
They insisted that presidential security arrangements must not come at the expense of the safety of other air travellers.
The concerns followed an urgent motion sponsored by Senator Jibrin Isa (Kogi East), who called for improved coordination among aviation regulatory agencies and security authorities.
The Senate urged the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to ensure advance notification of planned airspace restrictions and proper coordination with airline operators.
The chamber further resolved that aircraft yet to depart should be held on the ground whenever VIP movements make landing at their destinations impossible, rather than allowing them to take off only to be kept circling in the air.
They suggested that where restrictions become unavoidable after take-off, affected commercial aircraft should be directed to suitable alternative airports for landing.
Contributing to the debate, Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) recounted how recently, a commercial flight from Kano, scheduled to last about 40 minutes, kept him and other passengers airborne for approximately two and a half hours because of VIP-related restrictions.
Ningi described the experience as unacceptable, saying passengers were left frustrated and angry over the disruption. He criticised aviation authorities for failing to protect ordinary travellers, arguing that the National Assembly must also accept responsibility for inadequate oversight of the agencies. He called for the heads of NCAA, NAMA and FAAN to appear before the Senate Committee on Aviation.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio also recounted an experience in which passengers were kept inside an airport bus for about three hours after being transported from the terminal towards their aircraft, following restrictions associated with VIP movements.
He questioned why airport operations were sometimes disrupted long before the President’s actual departure, suggesting that the Presidency might not be fully aware of the inconvenience caused to passengers.
Akpabio warned that an aircraft could become a death trap if forced to remain airborne beyond its safe operational limits, particularly where fuel reserves become depleted. He also expressed concern over allegations that some airlines compromise on fuel requirements to accommodate more passengers, stressing that adequate reserve fuel is essential for emergency diversions.
Senator Dike Plang (Plateau Central), drawing on his experience in the aviation industry, said proper flight scheduling and coordination were fundamental to passenger safety.
He argued that airlines should not be cleared for departure when authorities already know that restrictions will prevent them from landing at their destinations as scheduled.
Senator Neda Emasuen (Edo South) subsequently proposed that aircraft already airborne should be diverted to alternative airports whenever their intended destinations become inaccessible.
Ruling on the matter, Akpabio described the situation as a serious safety threat, warning that it could result in an “avoidable accident that is waiting to happen if nothing is done.”
He directed the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation to convene an urgent meeting with NCAA, NAMA, FAAN and other relevant stakeholders to develop practical measures to address the problem.
The Senate also demanded clarification on the categories of public officials entitled to VIP-related airport restrictions, observing that such arrangements should not be extended indiscriminately.
It called for clear operational guidelines covering advance notification, flight sequencing, ground delays and emergency diversions, while mandating its Committee on Aviation to report back within two weeks. The chamber maintained that no official movement should expose commercial passengers and crew to unnecessary danger.
