Why FG Sanctioned Ethiopian, Air Peace, 3 Others

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has taken sanctions against five airlines for failing to comply with regulatory requirements regarding flight disruptions, passenger refunds, and baggage handling.

The NCAA sanctions affect two international carriers—Ethiopian Airways and Royal Air Maroc—and three domestic airlines, including Arik Air, Air Peace, and Aero Contractors. These penalties come in response to a surge in passenger complaints over issues such as delayed or canceled flights, unresponsive airline behavior, and mishandled or lost baggage.

Speaking on the development, NCAA spokesperson Michael Achimugu explained that while adverse weather conditions, particularly during the harmattan season, often lead to flight cancellations, airlines are still obligated to adhere to regulations.

“We understand that harmattan reduces visibility, which can lead to unavoidable cancellations. However, airlines must comply with passenger rights in cases where cancellations or delays occur due to factors within their control,” Achimugu said.

He highlighted the NCAA’s long-standing directive requiring airlines to refund passengers within 14 days for online ticket purchases and to provide immediate cash refunds for tickets purchased in person.

The enforcement action comes amid an increase in flight disruptions during the festive season, with passengers voicing frustrations over poor communication and delayed compensation. Achimugu emphasized that more sanctions could follow.

“The enforcement we initiated today targets instances where airlines are clearly at fault. This is just the beginning, as we aim to ensure full compliance with our regulations,” he added.

Although the NCAA has not disclosed the exact nature of the sanctions, industry sources suggest they could include fines, operational restrictions, or directives to rectify the violations.

The NCAA has also scheduled a meeting with airline CEOs later this week to address these recurring challenges and emphasize the need for stricter compliance.
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