Senate Warns VIP Flight Delays Could Trigger Aviation Disaster, Akpabio Recalls Three-Hour Ordeal.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has recounted how he spent almost three hours stranded in an airport shuttle bus while waiting for a presidential flight to take off when he was governor of Akwa Ibom State.
Akpabio shared the experience during Tuesday’s plenary following a motion by Senator Isah Jibril, who raised concerns over disruptions to commercial flight operations caused by movements of Very Important Personalities (VIPs).
The motion warned that prolonged delays and restrictions imposed on commercial flights to accommodate VIP movements could trigger a major aviation disaster.
Lawmakers raised concern that commercial aircraft are sometimes forced to remain airborne for extended periods while waiting for VIP flights to depart, exposing passengers and crew to safety risks. Senator Abdul Ningi also recounted how a flight scheduled to last 45 minutes from Kano kept him airborne for two and ahalf hours because of restrictions linked to VIP movements. Akpabio said he experienced similar disruptions when he was governor of Akwa Ibom State, recalling how he and other passengers were left waiting in an airport shuttle bus for almost three hours. He also questioned the timing and coordination of presidential security arrangements, saying airport operations were sometimes restricted long before the President’s actual departure.
MSEApp News is publishing an original rewrite of this tip for readers, based on reporting associated with Arise News.