The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has summoned thirteen domestic airlines due to the growing number of flight delays, cancellations which is affecting passengers across the country.
Michael Achimugu, the director of public affairs and consumer protection said that the meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 10 in a statement via his X account.
Achimugu said the meeting would address a range of critical issues, including persistent flight delays and cancellations, passenger handling protocols and welfare obligations, unresolved refund and compensation complaints.
Other issues that would be looked into includes the enforcement of safety measures like the phone switch-off directive, protection for cabin crew and NCAA officials, and the Introduction of RFID baggage tagging and real-time flight monitoring technology.
This comes barely 24 hours after the NCAA emphasised that airlines must uphold its regulations, particularly Part 19, which outlines specific obligations to passengers in the event of delays or cancellations, including providing hotel accommodations for stranded travellers between 10pm and 4am.
The regulatory authority stressed that it is ready to begin “naming and shaming” airlines that consistently flout aviation rules, particularly those that delay or cancel flights without due process or passenger support.
Achimugu said airlines that cancel flights late at night without making provisions for passenger welfare and leave NCAA consumer protection officers to manage agitated travellers expose officials to unnecessary risk.
He warned that the era of leniency is over.
“For infractions that are sanctionable, the Authority will apply the fullest measures possible. We will not abandon the letters of our regulations,” he said.
Achimugu reiterated that while the NCAA acknowledges the challenges faced by domestic carriers, operators must meet the expected standards if they wish to be regarded as world-class.
