BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has launched enforcement actions against five airlines, two international and three domestic operators, for multiple violations of Part 19 of NCAA regulations.
These violations include failure to issue refunds within the required time frame, ignoring NCAA directives, mishandled luggage, missing bags, short-landed baggage, as well as delayed and canceled flights, among other issues.
Michael Achimugu, the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, confirmed the move, which took place today, Tuesday.
He emphasised that while airlines are not always to blame for flight disruptions, NCAA regulations dictate specific actions airlines must take during such events. Noncompliance with these regulations leads to sanctions.
The Authority had recently warned that it would impose penalties if airlines failed to pay refunds within the stipulated 14-day period for online purchases and provide immediate cash refunds for tickets bought with cash.
The holiday season has seen a sharp rise in passenger complaints due to frequent delays and cancellations.
However, Achimugu defended the airlines for many of these disruptions.
“We all know this is harmattan season, so there is poor visibility. Flights must get canceled. This is force majeure, and the airlines do not owe passengers anything in those instances. The enforcement we are initiating today concerns cases where the airline is at fault. More will come,” he explained.
Achimugu also reassured that the Authority would be summoning the CEOs of all airlines this week to discuss flight disruptions and regulatory breaches.
While Achimugu did not name the airlines facing sanctions, sources close to the Authority revealed that they include Ethiopian Airways, Royal Maroc Airways, Arik Air, Aero Contractors and Air Peace.
