By Emmanuel Obisue
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has launched enforcement actions against five airlines—two international and three domestic—for violations of its regulations, including delays in refunds, mishandled luggage, and failure to comply with directives.
This move comes amid rising complaints from passengers over flight disruptions during the holiday season.
In a statement on Tuesday, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, confirmed that the authority is taking action after airlines failed to meet regulatory requirements such as providing timely refunds for online ticket purchases and issuing immediate cash refunds for tickets bought with cash.
Achimugu acknowledged that flight disruptions due to weather conditions, particularly the harmattan season, were beyond the airlines’ control but emphasized that the sanctions are directed at cases where airlines are deemed to be at fault.
While the NCAA has yet to officially name the airlines involved, sources revealed that Ethiopian Airways, Royal Maroc Airways, Arik Air, Aero Contractors, and Air Peace are among those facing penalties. The NCAA has also scheduled a meeting with airline CEOs this week to address the ongoing disruptions and ensure compliance with aviation regulations.
“This is just the beginning,” Achimugu warned, indicating further sanctions may follow if airlines continue to breach the rules.
