By Peter Omopo
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced plans to publicly name and shame airlines that violate aviation regulations, particularly in cases of flight delays and cancellations.
In a statement released on Monday via X, NCAA spokesperson Michael Achimugu warned that airlines must provide hotel accommodation for passengers stranded between 10:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m., as stipulated by aviation rules.
The decision, he said, is part of a more assertive enforcement drive aimed at protecting passenger rights and curbing rising cases of airport unrest linked to airlines’ lapses and regulatory non-compliance.
Achimugu condemned a recurring trend where airline staff abandon passengers during disruptions, leaving NCAA Consumer Protection Officers to handle irate crowds. “The situation where airline staff intentionally disappear, leaving NCAA officers to deal with frustrated passengers, will no longer be tolerated,” he said.
While acknowledging operational challenges in Nigeria’s aviation sector, the NCAA stressed that such hurdles cannot justify neglect of passenger rights. “Whoever ventures into the business must do it well. Don’t you want to be called world-class? Don’t you want to compete at the highest level?” the Authority queried.
The regulator also raised concerns over the safety risks faced by its staff during such confrontations, insisting that NCAA officials are deployed only to support both airlines and passengers.
Achimugu noted that the tougher enforcement stance aligns with directives from the Federal Government and the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development. He added that sanctions would be strictly applied where necessary.
“The naming and shaming will commence in line with government directives. While not all disruptions are the fault of airlines, operators must comply with regulations whenever they occur,” the statement concluded.
