Nigeria: NCAA to Expose Airlines Over Flight Cancellations, Delays

By Chinasaokwu Helen Okoro

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced it will begin naming and shaming airlines that flout aviation regulations, especially in cases of cancelled or delayed flights.

In a statement posted Monday on X, NCAA spokesperson Michael Achimugu warned that passengers stranded between 10:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. due to flight disruptions are legally entitled to hotel accommodation at the airline’s expense.

The decision marks a tougher regulatory stance aimed at boosting accountability and safeguarding passenger rights, following widespread complaints and rising incidents of airport unrest linked to poor airline practices.

The Authority condemned a growing pattern where airline staff abandon passengers during disruptions, leaving NCAA Consumer Protection Officers to manage frustrated crowds alone. “The situation where airline staff intentionally disappear… will no longer be tolerated,” Achimugu stressed.

While acknowledging the operational challenges airlines face, the NCAA insisted these cannot justify non-compliance. “Whoever ventures into this business must do it well. Don’t you want to be called world-class? Don’t you want to compete at the highest level?” the statement read.

The agency also criticised the exposure of its officers to unnecessary risks, reminding airlines that NCAA officials are present to support both the industry and passengers.

To enforce compliance, the NCAA pledged to strictly apply its regulations, including sanctions where necessary. “For infractions that are sanctionable, the Authority will apply the fullest measures possible,” Achimugu said, adding that the move follows directives from the Federal Government and the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development.

Effective immediately, the NCAA said it will begin publishing the names of airlines that default on passenger obligations as part of its enforcement drive.

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