The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced plans to publicly name and shame airlines that fail to comply with aviation regulations, particularly regarding flight cancellations and delays.
In a strongly worded post on his X account on Monday, NCAA publicist Michael Achimugu stressed that passengers left stranded between 10:00pm and 4:00am due to cancelled or delayed flights are entitled to hotel accommodation at the airline’s expense.
The move reflects a more assertive regulatory stance aimed at enhancing accountability and passenger welfare in Nigeria’s aviation sector, following public outcry and a series of airport disturbances linked to airlines’ lapses and disregard for regulations.
Violent incidents at Nigerian airports have become increasingly common in recent times. While some stem from passengers’ lack of awareness of aviation rules, others result from airlines deliberately circumventing regulations, denying passengers their rights.
The NCAA condemned the growing trend of airline staff disappearing from terminals during disruptions, leaving Consumer Protection Officers to manage agitated passengers alone. Achimugu warned: “The situation where airline staff intentionally disappear, leaving NCAA Consumer Protection Officers to handle justifiably irate and frustrated passengers will no longer be tolerated.”
While acknowledging the operational challenges facing airlines in Nigeria, the NCAA emphasised that such difficulties do not excuse non-compliance. “While one understands the challenges that operators face in our peculiar operating environment, whoever willfully ventures into a business and wants to remain in it must do it well. We must not always choose the easy way out. Don’t you want to be called ‘world class’? Don’t you want to compete at the highest level? If not for the passengers who trust you to fly them safely, then for your own pride?” the statement read.
The authority also criticised exposing its staff to avoidable risks, noting that NCAA officials are present solely to support both passengers and the airline industry. “You cannot expose NCAA officials to avoidable risk when all they do is support your business and protect your rights,” Achimugu added.
To ensure compliance, the NCAA pledged strict enforcement of its regulations, warning that it would apply the full weight of the law where sanctions are warranted. “For infractions that are sanctionable, the Authority will apply the fullest measures possible. We will not abandon the letters of our regulations,” Achimugu stated.
He explained that this decisive action follows directives from the Federal Government and the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development. As part of its enforcement strategy, the NCAA said it would begin publicly naming and shaming defaulting airlines.
“In compliance with directives from the Federal Government and the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the naming and shaming will commence. While we have done our best to advise airlines on solutions to flight disruptions—and why not nearly all cases are the fault of the airlines—the NCAA expects operators to comply with regulations whenever disruptions occur,” the statement concluded.
