‘Their requests were rejected’ — NCAA says airlines seeking waiver for fines

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has rejected waiver requests from airlines seeking to avoid paying fines imposed for various infractions.

Michael Achimugu, director for public affairs and consumer protection at the NCAA, said the penalties will be enforced to ensure compliance with regulatory standards.

“Most of the airlines have been asking for waivers, which we have refused. But Royal Air Maroc came to pledge to improve the quality of their services to Nigerians,” he said.

“Almost all the airlines have been writing in to ask for a waiver, promising they will do better. But we think that they will do better. I have refused these waivers.”

The director noted that the NCAA rejects airlines’ leniency requests but may reconsider fines if passenger complaints are resolved.

“We are willing to review the exact figures, especially for cases that have been resolved,” Achimugu said.

“Because at the end of the day, remember, these sanctions are not meant just to punish for the sake of punishment, but to ensure that the airlines can improve their services to Nigerian travellers.”

‘WE ARE WILLING TO REDUCE PENALTIES FOR COMPLIANT AIRLINES’

Achimugu said the authority has clarified its stance, emphasising that while penalties will not be entirely waived, reductions are possible for airlines that demonstrate full compliance in resolving all issues.

“We have refused an outright waiver, but we are willing to reduce some of the figures. As long as they can prove that they have resolved every single one of the cases on the sanctions list,” he said.

The NCAA announced Air Peace and Ethiopian Airlines among the aviation companies sanctioned over regulatory infractions in December 2024.

On February 11, the aviation authority said it will impose sanctions on more airlines that continue to violate consumer protection regulations.