NCAA to sanction more airlines over consumer protection-related infractions

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) says it will impose sanctions on more airlines that continue to violate consumer protection regulations.

Micheal Achimugu, NCAA’s director of public affairs and consumer protection, announced the plan on Tuesday.

The announcement comes more than a month after the authority penalised five airlines for similar violations.

On December 28, 2024, the aviation authority said it sanctioned Air Peace and Ethiopian Airlines, Arik Air, Aero Contractors, and Royal Air Maroc for violating Part 19 of NCAA Regulations of 2023.

The NCAA said the violations include failure to refund passengers within the stipulated time frame, non-responsiveness to authority’s directives, incidents of missing and manhandled luggage, short-landed baggage, and issues relating to flight delays and cancellations.

Providing an update, Achimugu said the airlines received their letters of sanction for consumer protection-related infractions on February 7,

“The 5 airlines against whom the NCAA initiated enforcement action in December received their Letters of Sanction for Consumer Protection-related infractions last Friday, February 7, 2025,” he said.

“The airlines include Aero Contractors, Arik Air, Air Peace, Royal Air Maroc, and Ethiopian Airways.

“Meanwhile, the NCAA is preparing heavier sanctions against more airlines for the same infractions.

“The Authority remains committed to protecting the rights of all stakeholders.”

On Saturday, the NCAA decided to implement “maximum enforcement action” against Kenya Airways due to multiple consumer protection violations.