Air Peace admits regulatory violations by staff, pledges compliance with NCAA rules

Air Peace Chairman Allen Onyeama has publicly admitted that some of his airline’s staff have violated aviation regulations, as revealed by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

The admission was made on Friday as Onyeama accepted enforcement actions taken against his airline by the NCAA, according to Michael Achimugu, the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection.

Achimugu, in a post on the social media platform X, quoted Onyeama as saying he had observed infractions by Air Peace employees, particularly concerning delayed ticket refunds.

Onyeama emphasized that he had instructed his team to strictly adhere to the NCAA’s regulations, including Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023, which mandates refunds within a stipulated timeframe.

“I am glad that this has happened. I have warned my team. This shows that the NCAA knows what they are doing. I will always acknowledge it where the fault is ours,” Onyeama reportedly said.

He further commended the NCAA for its enforcement actions, stating that they demonstrated the regulator’s commitment to upholding industry standards.

READ ALSO: Air Peace, Dangote and regulatory agencies

Earlier in the week, the NCAA announced enforcement actions against five airlines, including Air Peace and Ethiopian Airlines, for violations of its regulations. Achimugu revealed that both airlines admitted to their lapses and expressed a commitment to compliance going forward.

“After the stakeholders meeting with domestic operators today in Lagos, Ethiopian Airlines engaged with me to discuss the enforcement action issued to them. They expressed readiness to comply with NCAA regulations and promised to send in a compliance report by tomorrow,” Achimugu stated.

He highlighted that this marked the first time in over a decade that the NCAA’s Consumer Protection Department had initiated sanctions against airlines, adding that it would no longer be “business as usual.”

The NCAA’s actions follow a surge in customer complaints about flight delays, abrupt cancellations, and refund delays. Social media has been rife with grievances, with some customers specifically calling out Air Peace for its handling of flight schedules, luggage, and customer service.

READ ALSO: NCAA summons Airline CEOs to emergency meeting amid festive flight disruptions

Advertisement

Earlier this month, on December 10, the NCAA warned airlines that failure to process ticket refunds within the stipulated time frames would attract sanctions.

Achimugu commended Onyeama for acknowledging the issues and taking steps toward compliance. He assured the traveling public of the NCAA’s continued commitment to protecting their rights while serving as an impartial arbiter between passengers and airlines.

The NCAA’s renewed enforcement stance signals a shift toward stricter oversight in Nigeria’s aviation sector, aiming to improve service quality and ensure consumer protection.