NCAA Summons Airlines Over Recent Flight Chaos

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has summoned domestic airlines over persistent flight disruptions and incidents of unruly passenger behavior.

According to a report from Vanguard, the development comes less than 24 hours after the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, directed the NCAA to publicly name and shame airlines that flout the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations on flight disruptions.

Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mr. Michael Achimugu, disclosed via his official X handle that the meeting is scheduled to hold in Abuja on Wednesday.

He stated, “NCAA has invited all domestic airlines to a meeting in Abuja slated for tomorrow, Wednesday. Among the issues to be treated are unruly passenger behaviour and passenger handling protocols. Unresolved refund/compensation issues. Introduction of RFID bagtags and flight monitoring technology. Enforcement of phone switch-off instruction and protection for cabin crew. Improved travel experience for passengers.”

Achimugu further cautioned against situations where airline staff abandon their duty posts, leaving NCAA Consumer Protection officers to handle frustrated passengers affected by flight delays and cancellations.

He said, “The federal government has instructed that airlines be named and shamed by the NCAA. While we have done our best to advise per solutions to flight disruptions and why nearly all cases are the fault of the airlines, the NCAA expects that operators must comply with the regulations in the event of a disruption.”

The NCAA stressed that strict enforcement of regulations will follow to protect passengers’ rights and improve overall air travel experience.