NCAA lists operators sanctioned over regulatory infractions

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced the imposition of sanctions on several airlines, including Air Peace, Ethiopian Airlines, Arik Air, Aero Contractors, and Royal Air Maroc, for various regulatory infractions.

The sanctions, which were issued on December 24, 2024, target five airlines—two international and three domestic operators—accused of violating Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations of 2023.

The violations, as outlined by the NCAA, include failure to issue timely refunds to passengers, non-compliance with the authority’s directives, issues with missing or mishandled luggage, short-landed baggage, and delays and cancellations of flights.

Michael Achimugu, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, confirmed the sanctions and provided an update following a recent stakeholders’ meeting with airline representatives.

The meeting aimed to address ongoing regulatory issues and ensure better compliance from operators.

Air Peace, one of the sanctioned carriers, responded positively to the NCAA’s actions. In a statement, Allen Onyema, Chairman of Air Peace, acknowledged some of the infractions committed by the airline’s staff and expressed commitment to ensuring future compliance with NCAA regulations, particularly concerning the timely processing of passenger refunds.

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Onyema stated, “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.”

Ethiopian Airlines, another international carrier among those sanctioned, has sought further engagement with the NCAA regarding the enforcement actions.

The airline expressed its willingness to comply with NCAA regulations and pledged to submit a compliance report within 24 hours. This marks the first time in over a decade that the NCAA’s Consumer Protection Department has imposed sanctions on airlines, reflecting a more stringent approach to enforcement.

In response to the meeting, Chris Najomo, acting Director-General of the NCAA, advised airline operators to streamline their flight schedules to manageable levels to avoid disruptions.

He further warned that the authority would adopt stricter enforcement measures against non-compliant carriers and emphasized that unruly passenger behavior would not be tolerated.

Achimugu also addressed the airlines’ awareness of their regulatory obligations, noting that many of the sanctioned carriers had publicly acknowledged the violations. He explained that Aero Contractors, for example, had addressed seven out of the 11 infractions listed in the NCAA’s official letter.

Ethiopian Airlines, meanwhile, confirmed that some of the reported cases had been resolved but had yet to formally notify the NCAA, which is a requirement.

The NCAA stressed that airlines are obligated to report back to the authority once issues are resolved. Achimugu emphasized that failing to respond to official communications is a criminal offense, with penalties for non-compliance.

He also stated that the Consumer Protection Department of the NCAA had not sanctioned any airlines in over 10 years, a situation he believes had led to complacency among operators.

“Many of the issues airlines face stem from external factors beyond their control,” Achimugu acknowledged. “However, operators must take responsibility for the infractions they cause, and the NCAA will no longer allow business as usual.”

The NCAA’s tough stance on regulatory infractions aims to improve accountability in the aviation sector and enhance consumer protection in Nigeria’s airline industry.