The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority NCAA has Sanctioned five airlines for violating passengers rights
Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection NCAA Michael Achimugu who disclosed this said the development took place on Tuesday
The sanction against the five airlines which are two international and three domestic operators became necessary as there were various violations of part 19 of the NCAA Regulations which includes non payment of refunds within the stipulated time frame, non responsiveness to the NCAA’s directives, missing luggage, manhandled luggage, short-landed baggage, delayed and cancelled flights, amongst others.
Achimugu noted that although airlines are not always responsible for flight disruptions, NCAA Regulations stipulate actions that airlines must take during disruptions, as failure to comply attracts various levels of sanctions.
He further disclosed that the incessant disruptions this yuletide has caused a surge in passengers’ complaints about delays and cancellations, but defended the airlines for most of the cancellations
He said “We all know that this is harmattan season, so there is poor visibility. Flights must get cancelled. This is Force majeure, and the airlines do not owe passengers anything in those instances. The enforcement we are initiating today is on cases where the airline is deemed to have been at fault. More will come”
Achimugu further disclosed that the NCAA will be summoning the CEOs of all airlines this week to a meeting over flight disruptions and regulatory breaches.
The NCAA Director however did not disclose the names of the five Airlines
You will recall that the Regulatory agency had recently warned that it will initiate sanctions if airlines fail to pay refunds within the stipulated time frame of fourteen days for online ticket purchases and immediate cash refunds for tickets purchased by cash.5
