The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has imposed sanctions on five airlines—two international and three domestic operators for violations of aviation regulations.
The offenses include failure to pay refunds within the required time frame, non-compliance with NCAA directives, missing and damaged luggage, short-landed baggage, and frequent delays and cancellations.
Announcing the enforcement action on Tuesday, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mr. Michael Achimugu, stated that the measures were necessary to address the rising number of complaints from passengers.
He emphasised that while airlines are not always at fault for flight disruptions, they are required by law to fulfill certain obligations during such occurrences. Non-compliance with these regulations attracts penalties.
The sanctions follow a recent warning by the NCAA, reminding airlines to process refunds within 14 days for online purchases and immediately for cash transactions.
Achimugu noted that the current enforcement targets situations where airlines were found to be at fault and assured that additional sanctions could follow if violations persist.
He acknowledged that the harmattan season has caused poor visibility, leading to unavoidable flight cancellations. However, he clarified that these force majeure events do not fall under the current sanctions, which focus on operational lapses attributable to the airlines.
Although the NCAA has not officially named the sanctioned airlines, sources within the Authority disclosed that the affected carriers include Ethiopian Airlines, Royal Air Maroc, Arik Air, Aero Contractors, and Air Peace.
Achimugu also revealed that the NCAA would summon the chief executives of all airlines this week to address concerns over disruptions and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
The enforcement highlights NCAA’s commitment to safeguarding passengers’ rights and maintaining operational accountability during a peak travel period.
