The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced it will begin publicly naming and shaming airlines that fail to comply with aviation regulations, particularly regarding flight cancellations and delays, marking a significant shift toward more assertive regulatory enforcement.
The decisive action follows a directive from the Federal Government and Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo, signaling heightened accountability measures aimed at improving passenger welfare in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
NCAA publicist Michael Achimugu emphasized in a strongly worded statement posted on social media that passengers stranded between 10:00 PM and 4:00 AM due to cancelled or delayed flights are entitled to hotel accommodation at the airline’s expense. This regulation has often been ignored by carriers, leaving travelers in difficult situations during overnight disruptions.
The authority’s move comes following persistent outcries and a series of violent incidents at Nigerian airports stemming from airlines’ lapses and non-adherence to established regulations. These incidents have highlighted the growing frustration among passengers who face repeated service failures without adequate compensation or support.
The NCAA strongly condemned a troubling trend where airline staff deliberately disappear from terminals during flight disruptions, leaving NCAA Consumer Protection Officers to single-handedly manage increasingly agitated passengers. This abandonment of responsibility has created dangerous situations for both passengers and regulatory officials.
“The situation where airline staff intentionally disappear, leaving NCAA Consumer Protection Officers to handle justifiably irate and frustrated passengers will no longer be tolerated,” Achimugu warned, emphasizing that this practice exposes NCAA officials to avoidable risks.
While acknowledging the operational difficulties facing airlines in Nigeria’s challenging environment, the NCAA insisted that these challenges do not excuse willful non-compliance with aviation regulations. The authority issued a direct challenge to airlines regarding their commitment to excellence and passenger service.
“While one understands the challenges that operators face in our peculiar operating environment, whoever willfully ventures into a business and wants to remain in it must do it well,” the statement read. “We must not always choose the easy way out. Don’t you want to be called ‘world class’? Don’t you want to compete at the highest level?”
The NCAA emphasized that airlines should maintain high standards not only for passenger safety and trust but also for their own professional pride and reputation in the aviation industry.
The authority criticized the exposure of its staff to potentially dangerous situations during passenger confrontations, stressing that NCAA officials are present solely to support both passengers and the airline industry, not to face hostile situations created by airline negligence.
“You cannot expose NCAA officials to avoidable risk when all they do is support your business and protect your rights,” Achimugu stated, highlighting the unfairness of the current situation.
To enforce compliance, the NCAA pledged strict adherence to its regulations and reiterated its commitment to applying the full weight of the law in cases warranting sanctions. “For infractions that are sanctionable, the Authority will apply the fullest measures possible. We will not abandon the letters of our regulations,” Achimugu declared.
Recent times have witnessed an increase in violent incidents at Nigerian airports, caused by various factors ranging from passenger ignorance of aviation rules to airlines’ deliberate attempts to circumvent regulations and deprive passengers of their rights. These incidents have created a volatile atmosphere that the NCAA aims to address through improved enforcement.
The naming and shaming strategy represents part of a broader effort to restore order and accountability to Nigeria’s aviation sector, ensuring that airlines fulfill their obligations to passengers while maintaining professional standards.
The NCAA confirmed that the naming and shaming initiative will commence immediately as part of its comprehensive enforcement strategy. “In compliance with the directives from the Federal Government and the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the naming and shaming will commence,” the authority stated.
The regulator noted that while it has provided guidance on solutions to flight disruptions and acknowledged that not all cases result from airline fault, operators must still comply with regulations whenever disruptions occur, regardless of the underlying cause.
