Sanctions for airlines when NCAA moves to uphold passenger rights

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced plans to register public airlines that failed to comply with flight regulations, especially on flight cancellation and prolonged delays.

In a statement posted on his X -was grip on Monday, NCAA spokesman, Michael Achimugu, stressed that airlines must provide hotel accommodation for passengers stranded between 10:00 and 4:00 in the morning due to interference.

This step marks a harder attitude of regulations by NCAA, following broad complaints over poor service, recurrent disorders, and increasing violent incidents at airports related to airline failures to uphold passenger rights.

Authority expressed concern about the developing trends where the airline staff left their duties during operational disruption, leaving NCAA consumer protection officers to manage frustrated passengers alone.

“The situation in which airline staff deliberately disappeared, leaving NCAA consumer protection officers to handle angry and frustrated passengers will no longer be tolerated,” Achimugu warned.

While recognizing operational challenges in the Nigerian aviation sector, NCAA insisted that such difficulties could not justify non -compliance.

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“Anyone who deliberately explores into the business and wants to stay in it must do it well. Do you not want to be called ‘world class’? Do you not want to compete at the highest level? If not for the sake of passengers who trust you to safely fly them, what about your own self -esteem?” He added.

NCAA also criticized his official’s presentation of unnecessary risks, noting that his staff were mobilized to help passengers and operators, not to replace airline personnel.

“You cannot expose NCAA officials to avoid risks when everything they do is support your business and protect your rights,” Achimugu said.

The regulator promised to strictly uphold the rules and impose sanctions if necessary, emphasizing that they would not hesitate to implement “steps as much as possible” for approved violations.