The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has clarified that its recent sanctions against five airlines were solely related to consumer protection issues, dismissing media speculation that the actions were tied to safety concerns.
In a statement by Michael Achimugu, NCAA’s Director of Consumer Protection and Public Affairs, he emphasized that the enforcement actions were strictly for passenger-related infractions, such as flight disruptions and delays in refund payments, and not technical or safety violations.
Achimugu explained, “The DGCA publicly disclosed the names of the affected airlines and the reasons for the sanctions during a stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos. My department handles consumer protection, not safety matters. It’s unwarranted to assume we imposed sanctions for safety concerns.”
Two weeks ago, Achimugu warned airlines about delays in refund payments, emphasizing adherence to Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023. A week later, NCAA announced enforcement actions against Royal Air Maroc, Ethiopian Airways, Air Peace, Arik Air, and Aero Contractors for failing to meet consumer protection obligations.
To address broader industry concerns, the NCAA’s Acting Director-General, Capt. Chris Najomo, convened an emergency stakeholders’ meeting to tackle issues of flight delays and cancellations. He urged operators to align their operations with available aircraft and to prioritize resolving consumer complaints promptly.
In response, Allen Onyema, Chairman of Air Peace, acknowledged lapses within his airline regarding delayed refunds, expressing dissatisfaction with practices that inconvenience passengers. He accepted the NCAA’s sanctions and pledged to enhance the airline’s responsiveness to complaints.
The NCAA reiterated its commitment to maintaining a balanced approach, protecting both operators and passengers while upholding industry standards.
