Senate Warns Of Imminent Aviation Disaster Over VIP Movements, Akpabio Recalls Three-Hour Ordeal

The Senate has raised concerns over the growing disruption of commercial flight operations to accommodate Very Important Personalities (VIPs), warning that the practice could trigger a major aviation disaster if not urgently addressed.

The warning followed a motion sponsored by Senator Isah Jibril during plenary on Tuesday, highlighting the safety risks associated with prolonged delays to commercial flights because of presidential and other VIP movements.

Contributing to the debate, Senate President Godswill Akpabio recounted how he was stranded in an airport shuttle bus for almost three hours while waiting for a presidential aircraft to be cleared for take-off when he was governor of Akwa Ibom State.

Akpabio said the experience exposed the extent to which airport operations could be disrupted by security arrangements for VIP movements, leaving ordinary passengers inconvenienced.

He also questioned the coordination and timing of presidential security protocols, noting that restrictions were sometimes imposed long before the President’s actual departure.

Other lawmakers expressed concern that commercial aircraft were increasingly being required to remain airborne for extended periods while waiting for clearance linked to VIP movements.

Senator Abdul Ningi, who shared a similar experience, disclosed that a flight from Kano, scheduled to last about 45 minutes, kept him airborne for approximately two and a half hours because of restrictions associated with VIP movements.

The lawmakers warned that such delays could endanger passengers and crew, particularly when aircraft are forced to remain in the air beyond their planned schedules.

Akpabio further cautioned that the approaching harmattan season could worsen the situation, as prolonged airborne holding patterns, fuel limitations and adverse weather conditions could combine to create dangerous circumstances.

Following deliberations, the Senate directed its Committee on Aviation to convene an urgent meeting with relevant aviation and security authorities to develop practical measures to address the disruptions.

The upper chamber also demanded clarification on the categories of public officials entitled to airport and airspace restrictions, insisting on clearly defined operational guidelines to prevent unnecessary interference with commercial flight operations.

The Senate’s intervention comes amid growing concerns about the balance between VIP security arrangements, efficient airport operations and the safety of air travellers.