NCAA Initiates Sanctions Against ET, Aero, Air Peace, Two Other Airlines
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has initiated enforcement action against five airlines (two international and three domestic operators) for various violations of Part 19 of the NCAA regulations including 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 canceled flights, amongst others.
The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection (NCAA), Mr. Michael Achimugu disclosed the development today saying although airlines are not always responsible for flight disruptions, NCAA regulations stipulate actions that airlines must take during disruptions. Failure to comply attracts various levels of sanction.
NCAA recently warned that it would initiate sanctions if airlines failed to pay refunds within the stipulated time frame of fourteen days for online ticket purchases and immediate cash refunds for tickets purchased by cash.
The incessant disruptions this yuletide has caused a surge in passengers’ complaints about delays and cancellations. Mr. Achimugu defended the airlines for most of the cancellations.
“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,” the director explained.
The director also assured that the Authority would be summoning the CEOs of all airlines this week to a meeting over flight disruptions and regulatory breaches. While Achimugu did not disclose the airlines whose sanctions he signed today, sources close to the Authority disclosed that they are Ethiopian Airways, Royal Maroc Airways, Arik Air, Aero Contractors, and Air Peace.
