The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has invited all domestic airlines to a meeting in Abuja over recent flight disruptions.
The meeting will be held on Wednesday at the NCAA headquarters, as confirmed by the Director of Public Relations and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, on his verified X handle. The Aviation industry has recently come under severe complaints following series of incidents of unruly passenger behaviour.
“The NCAA has invited all domestic airlines to a meeting in Abuja slated for tomorrow, Wednesday,” Achimugu said.
“Unruly passenger behaviour and passenger handling protocols; Unresolved refund/compensation issues; Introduction of RFID bagtags and flight monitoring technology; Enforcement of phone switch-off instruction and protection for cabin crew as well as Improved travel experience for passengers.
This is coming barely 24 hours after Achimugu said the regulatory authority had the mandate of the federal government “to begin naming and shaming” airlines that delay and cancel flights especially at odd hours without providing the right comfort for the stranded passengers as stipulated in Part 19 of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations.
In an X post, Achimugu stated that when airlines cancel flights without taking care of the welfare of passengers, they expose the NCAA’s consumer protection officers to danger.
He also noted that airlines cancel flights late at night without making provisions for passenger welfare, leaving NCAA consumer protection officers to manage agitated travellers. This, he said, exposes officials to unnecessary risk.
He however warned that the era of leniency is over, stating, “For infractions that are sanctionable, the Authority will apply the fullest measures possible. We will not abandon the letters of our regulations.”
Achimugu, however, 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.
