NCAA summons airlines over flight delays, threatens sanctions
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has summoned domestic airlines to an emergency meeting over rising complaints of flight delays, cancellations and poor service across the country.
The meeting, scheduled for Wednesday at the NCAA headquarters in Abuja, was confirmed by Michael Achimugu, director of public affairs and consumer protection at the agency, via his X handle on Tuesday.
Air travellers have flooded the NCAA with complaints of incessant delays, cancellations and other service lapses that have made air travel frustrating.
Airlines have also been accused of failing to adhere to regulatory rules and of practices that have made the passenger experience more cumbersome.
Achimugu said while the NCAA recognises the operational challenges facing domestic carriers, operators must still meet required standards.
He explained that the meeting would focus on critical issues such as persistent flight delays and cancellations, passenger handling protocols, refund and compensation complaints, welfare obligations, and enforcement of safety measures such as switching off mobile phones during flights.
Other matters include protection for cabin crew and NCAA officials, and the introduction of RFID baggage tagging and real-time flight monitoring technology.
‘Era of Leniency Is Over’
This intervention comes amid a rise in passenger complaints and incidents of unruly behaviour at airports, which the NCAA says are partly linked to poor airline compliance with regulations.
While some incidents stem from ignorance of aviation rules, the agency said others are caused by airlines deliberately circumventing regulations and denying passengers their rights.
The NCAA noted that airlines must comply with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations, particularly Part 19, which requires them to provide hotel accommodation for stranded passengers between 10pm and 4am in the event of cancellations or long delays.
It added that it is ready to begin “naming and shaming” airlines that consistently flout these obligations.
Achimugu warned that NCAA officials are often exposed to risks when airlines cancel flights late at night without making provisions for passenger welfare, leaving consumer protection officers to manage angry travellers.
He declared: “For infractions that are sanctionable, the Authority will apply the fullest measures possible. We will not abandon the letters of our regulations.”
