The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has taken enforcement actions against five airlines; two international and three domestic for violating Part 19 of NCAA regulations.
The announcement was made on Tuesday by Michael Achimugu, the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection.
The affected airlines were penalized for various infractions, including failure to issue refunds within the stipulated timeframe, non-responsiveness to regulatory directives, and mishandling or loss of passenger luggage.
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Other violations include delayed or canceled flights without adherence to NCAA guidelines.
- Nonpayment of refunds within the required 14-day period for online purchases.
- Failure to issue immediate cash refunds for cash-purchased tickets.
- Mishandling of luggage, short-landed baggage, and unresolved passenger complaints.
While acknowledging that some flight disruptions are caused by external factors like poor visibility during the harmattan season, Achimugu emphasized that airlines are required by regulation to take specific actions during disruptions. Failure to comply results in sanctions.
“We all know harmattan affects visibility, leading to cancellations due to force majeure. In such cases, airlines are not liable. However, today’s enforcement targets instances where airlines were at fault. More sanctions will follow,” Achimugu stated.
In addition to imposing fines, the NCAA plans to summon airline CEOs for a meeting this week to address ongoing issues of flight disruptions and regulatory compliance.
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The rise in passenger complaints this holiday season has further underscored the need for stricter oversight, with many travelers frustrated by delays, cancellations, and inadequate customer support.
This latest action demonstrates the NCAA’s commitment to enforcing compliance and protecting passenger rights.
