The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has taken enforcement action against five airlines, including two international and three domestic carriers, for breaching Part 19 of NCAA regulations.
The violations include failure to issue refunds within the required time frame, non-compliance with NCAA directives, issues with luggage such as mishandling, missing, and short-landed baggage, as well as delays and cancellations of flights.
NCAA spokesperson, Michael Achimugu, shared the news with journalists at the Authority’s headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday. He explained that while airlines are not always at fault for flight disruptions, NCAA regulations specify the necessary actions airlines must take during such events. Non-compliance with these rules results in sanctions at varying levels.
Recall that the Authority recently warned that it will initiate sanctions if airlines fail to pay refunds within the stipulated time frame of 14 days for online ticket purchases and immediate cash refunds for tickets purchased by cash.
The incessant disruptions this yuletide has caused a surge in passengers’ complaints about delays and cancellations. Achimugu defended the airlines for most of the cancellations.
“We all know that this is harmattan season, so there is poor visibility. Flights must get cancelled. This is force majeure, and the airlines do not owe passengers anything in those instances. The enforcement we are initiating today is on cases where the airline is deemed to have been at fault. More will come,” the spokesman explained.
He also assured that the Authority will be summoning the chief executives of all airlines this week to a meeting over flight disruptions and regulatory breaches.
While Achimugu did not disclose the airlines whose sanctions he signed today, sources close to the Authority disclosed that they are Ethiopian Airways, Royal Maroc Airways, Arik Air, Aero Contractors, and Air Peace.
