NCAA Debunks Safety Concerns, Clarifies Sanctions on Airlines

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has dismissed media reports suggesting that its recent sanctions against five airlines were due to safety concerns.

Instead, the regulatory body clarified that the enforcement actions were strictly related to consumer protection infractions, particularly delays in refund payments to passengers.

The Director of Consumer Protection and Public Affairs, Michael Achimugu, reiterated this clarification in response to speculations circulating across various media platforms.

He emphasised that the penalties stemmed from breaches of Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023, which outlines the timeline for refund payments to passengers.

Two weeks earlier, Achimugu had issued a warning to all airlines, stating that delays in refund payments would attract sanctions.

Following through, the NCAA announced enforcement actions against Royal Air Maroc, Ethiopian Airlines, Air Peace, Arik Air, and Aero Contractors.

In a bid to address wider industry concerns, the Acting Director-General of the NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo, convened an emergency stakeholder meeting.

The session focused on mitigating flight delays and cancellations, with Najomo urging operators to align their schedules with the availability of aircraft and to prioritise addressing consumer complaints.

“Operators must take the issues of flight disruptions and customer dissatisfaction seriously. It’s time for airlines to match their operations with available resources,” Najomo stressed during the meeting.

Reacting to the sanctions, Allen Onyema, Chairman of Air Peace, admitted that lapses in his airline’s finance department had caused delays in passenger refunds.

Expressing disappointment, he pledged to improve the airline’s response to consumer complaints.

“My vision for Air Peace does not align with practices that inconvenience passengers,” Onyema stated, adding that he supports the NCAA’s actions.

However, some media reports speculated that the sanctions were tied to safety issues, a claim the NCAA vehemently denied.

Achimugu, speaking on behalf of the Authority, refuted these claims, stating: “Even the DGCA publicly announced the names of the airlines and the reasons for the enforcement actions during the Lagos stakeholders meeting.

“My department handles consumer protection issues, not technical matters. It is baseless to assume these sanctions are linked to safety concerns.”

He further clarified the NCAA’s position, highlighting its commitment to impartiality.

“Our department is an unbiased umpire, safeguarding the interests of both operators and passengers. We do not sensationalise serious matters,” Achimugu said.

The NCAA reiterated its dedication to consumer protection, reassuring the public that its actions are aimed at fostering accountability and trust in Nigeria’s aviation industry.

The Authority urged passengers and stakeholders to disregard misleading reports and trust its processes in ensuring a fair and efficient aviation sector.