Kehinde Fajobi
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has revealed that five airlines have violated regulations and will face sanctions.
This comes less than two weeks after the NCAA issued a warning to airlines about breaching Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations (NCARs).
According to Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at NCAA, three domestic and two international airlines were found guilty of non-payment of refunds, failure to respond to NCAA directives, mishandled luggage, and delays or cancellations of flights.
Achimugu, who withheld the names of the airlines, noted that while not all disruptions are the fault of the airlines, NCAA regulations require airlines to take specific actions when disruptions occur.
He added that failure to comply with these rules would result in sanctions of varying severity.
He reiterated the NCAA’s position on refunds, stating: “This is not hot air. The Consumer Protection Department of the NCAA has done a lot to sensitise passengers and protect the business of operators.
“The time has come for airlines to repay the good faith and support they have gotten from the regulator.”
Achimugu further warned that all cases of non-compliance would be met with appropriate action, affirming, “Our CPOs have received instructions not to chase down airlines to comply with the regulations.
“Every case of non-compliance will be met with adequate sanctions. Not a single airline will say that they have not been given a listening ear.”