The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has clarified that its recent sanctions on five airlines were due to consumer protection violations, not safety concerns.
Michael Achimugu, NCAA’s Director of Consumer Protection and Public Affairs, emphasized in a statement that the sanctions stemmed from issues such as delayed passenger refunds and flight disruptions, not technical or safety-related matters.
“At a stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos, the DGCA outlined the airlines involved and the specific reasons for the enforcement actions. Our department focuses solely on consumer protection, ensuring fair treatment for both passengers and operators,” Achimugu stated.
The NCAA had warned airlines against delaying passenger refunds beyond the timeframe stipulated in Part 19 of its 2023 regulations. Despite the warning, enforcement actions were initiated against Royal Air Maroc, Ethiopian Airways, Air Peace, Arik Air, and Aero Contractors.
In response, Air Peace Chairman Allen Onyema admitted delays in refund payments by his staff, acknowledging the NCAA’s action as fair. He pledged to improve the airline’s responsiveness to consumer complaints.
The NCAA’s Acting Director-General, Capt. Chris Najomo, also convened an emergency meeting with stakeholders, urging airlines to align their operations with available resources and address customer complaints promptly.
The authority reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding consumer rights while maintaining impartiality in its regulatory actions.
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