The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has initiated enforcement action against five airlines (two international and three domestic operators) for various violations of Part 19 of the NCAA regulations including nonpayment of refunds within the stipulated time frame, non-responsiveness to the NCAA’s directives, missing luggage, manhandled luggage, short-landed baggage, delayed and canceled flights, amongst others.
The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection (NCAA), Michael Achimugu disclosed this whilst speaking to journalists at the corporate headquarters of the Authority in Abuja.
He said that although airlines are not always responsible for flight disruptions, NCAA regulations stipulate actions that airlines must take during disruptions. Failure to comply attracts various levels of sanctions.
Recall that the Authority recently warned that it will initiate sanctions if airlines fail to pay refunds within the stipulated time frame of forteen 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. Mr. Achimugu defended the airlines for most of the cancellations.
The director also assured that the Authority will be summoning the CEOs of all airlines this week to a meeting over flight disruptions and regulatory regulatory breaches.
While Achimugu did not disclose the airlines whose sanctions he signed, sources close to the Authority disclosed that they are Ethiopian Airways, Royal Maroc Airways, Arik Air, Aero Contractors, and Air Peace.
