NCAA threatens to penalise airlines over false flight schedule

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) says it will penalise airlines engaged in deceitful departure schedules.

In a statement on July 9 by the NCAA, Chris Najomo, its acting director-general, warned the airlines to desist from the infraction or face dire regulatory actions. 

According to the statement by Michael Achimugu, NCAA’s director, public affairs and consumer protection, the authority now runs a zero-tolerance approach to regulatory infractions.

“Ease of doing business is the crux of the D-G’s action plan for the NCAA. In line with that action plan, he has made processes for licensing easy for operators,” he said.

“The time to secure AOC is now shorter and less cumbersome than it used to be in the past. The NCAA therefore expects reciprocity from airlines. Chief of which is world-class services to passengers.”

Najomo said if the NCAA was facilitating a business-friendly environment for operators, then the operators must satisfy the passengers with superior services.

“It has come to our notice that some airlines are being reported for advertising deceitful departure times. The NCAA regulation says no airline shall display deceitful passenger departure time at its counter, advert material or on its website,” he said.

“We want to make it very clear that the D-GCA has directed monitoring and offenders will face serious regulatory actions.” 

He said the authority believes in safety, discipline, and economic regulation which is evident in the recent suspension of 10 permits for non-commercial flights (PHCF) holders for failing to comply with the recertification advisory issued in April.

Speaking further, Najomo said the ease of business is an area NCAA would continue to improve.

“This is evident in our high score on the Presidential Enabling Business Council (PEBEC) ranking. Recently our sister agency scored 96 per cent but the NCAA scored 98.5 per cent which is an extremely high score,” he said. 

“This is building from the commendable score of 71.04 per cent the NCAA scored during this year’s ICAO Security Audit.

“The numbers are improving and we will continue to do what we can to make the industry safer, and more secure for passengers and stakeholders.” 

On the difficulty in refund processes by airlines, Najomo said all refunds must be handled without undue delay and completed within 14 working days, irrespective of the method of ticket purchase.

Regarding the suspension of PHCF licences of 10 operators, Najomo explained that they had been advised since April to commence the process for recertification but refused to comply — leaving the NCAA with no option but to penalise them.