Amid a sharp rise in flight delays, cancellations, and increasing passenger unrest at airports nationwide, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has summoned 13 domestic airlines to an emergency meeting scheduled for Wednesday at its headquarters in Abuja.
The meeting was confirmed by NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, in a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday.
According to the NCAA, the intervention is in response to a growing wave of complaints from air travelers many of whom have faced missed appointments, extended delays, and in some cases, unresolved ticket refunds and compensation. The regulator also noted a recent surge in unruly passenger behavior, which it partly attributes to airlines’ disregard for aviation rules and consumer protection protocols.
Mounting Incidents, Mounting Pressure
In recent months, Nigerian airports have witnessed several confrontations between passengers and airline staff, many of them turning violent. The NCAA says while some incidents were the result of passenger ignorance, others stemmed from airlines deliberately ignoring regulations, especially regarding passenger welfare during delays or cancellations.
“We are witnessing rising incidents where passengers are left stranded late at night without accommodations or updates. This is unacceptable,” Achimugu stated. “Our officials are then left to deal with the chaos, often at personal risk.”
The NCAA revealed that Wednesday’s meeting will address several key issues affecting the aviation industry, including:
- Persistent flight delays and last-minute cancellations
- Passenger handling and welfare obligations
- Unresolved refund and compensation claims
- Non-compliance with safety measures, such as the phone switch-off directive
- Protection of NCAA officials and airline crew from violence
- Introduction of RFID baggage tagging and real-time flight monitoring systems
Achimugu emphasized that the NCAA is not blind to the operational challenges facing airlines but insisted that compliance with aviation standards is non-negotiable.
“Operators must meet the expectations of world-class service if they wish to be regarded as world-class carriers,” he said.
The NCAA, on Monday, had reminded carriers of their obligations under Part 19 of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (NCAR) particularly provisions that mandate hotel accommodation for stranded passengers between 10:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m., along with timely communication and care.
“The era of leniency is over. For infractions that are sanctionable, the Authority will apply the fullest measures possible,” Achimugu warned. “We will not abandon the letters of our regulations.”
He also hinted at plans to “name and shame” carriers that continue to flout passenger rights and operational standards.
Looking Ahead
As the NCAA prepares to hold what could be a pivotal meeting with domestic carriers, passengers and industry stakeholders alike are watching closely to see if the regulator will finally take decisive action or if the cycle of delays, cancellations, and inadequate consumer protections will persist.
