Enforcement Actions for Breaching Regulations
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has begun enforcement proceedings against five airlines for breaching Part 19 of its regulations. The infractions include failure to process refunds on time, ignoring NCAA directives, issues with luggage handling, and flight delays or cancellations.
Statement from the NCAA
Michael Achimugu, the NCAA’s spokesman, announced these measures during a press briefing in Abuja. He clarified that while not all flight disruptions are the airlines’ fault, there are clear regulatory expectations for handling such incidents. Non-compliance with these regulations leads to sanctions.
Recent NCAA Warnings on Refunds
The NCAA had previously announced potential sanctions for airlines not adhering to refund timelines, setting a 14-day limit for online ticket purchases and immediate cash refunds for tickets bought with cash. This comes amidst a holiday season marked by increased passenger complaints due to flight disruptions.
Weather-Related Cancellations vs. Airline Fault
Achimugu acknowledged the role of the current harmattan season in causing cancellations due to poor visibility, which he classified under force majeure, where airlines are not liable. However, the current enforcement actions specifically target instances where airlines were at fault.
Upcoming Meetings with Airline Executives
In response to these issues, Achimugu stated that the NCAA will soon hold a meeting with the CEOs of all airlines to discuss flight disruptions and regulatory compliance in depth.
Airlines Facing Sanctions
Although not officially named by Achimugu, sources within the NCAA have revealed that the airlines facing sanctions include Ethiopian Airways, Royal Maroc Airways, Arik Air, Aero Contractors, and Air Peace.
