The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has invited 13 domestic airlines to an emergency meeting today at its headquarters in Abuja over flight delays and cancellations by the operators with a view to addressing its growing concerns over passenger welfare and airline accountability.
The NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, stated that the meeting would primarily focus on managing unruly passenger behavior, resolving outstanding refund and compensation claims, introducing RFID baggage tags and flight monitoring technology, enforcing phone switch-off rules, safeguarding cabin crew, and enhancing the overall travel experience for passengers.
According to him, the parley will be streamed live on NCAA’s official X and Facebook pages.
Today’s meeting with the airlines operators came shortly after the spokesman confirmed that the NCAA had received a federal directive to begin “naming and shaming” airlines that are violating passenger rights, particularly those that cancel flights at odd hours without providing necessary support for affected travellers
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He maintained that airlines were required under Part 19 of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations to offer hotel accommodation to passengers stranded between 10:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m.
Achimugu maintained: “The situation where airline staff intentionally disappear, leaving NCAA Consumer Protection Officers to handle justifiably irate and frustrated passengers will no longer be tolerated.”
He warned that NCAA officials should not be exposed to risk due to airline negligence, stressing that operators must comply with regulations if they wish to remain in business.
The director stated the NCAA would apply the fullest regulatory sanctions for any infractions by any operator and will no longer tolerate excuses.
