By Folashade Olorunfemi –
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced plans to impose stiffer penalties on domestic airlines that repeatedly fail to meet operational standards, particularly in managing flight delays and cancellations.
Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, Michael Achimugu, disclosed this on Thursday via his X handle. He used ... to reaffirm the Authority’s commitment to strengthening its regulatory framework and drew attention to recurring inefficiencies in the aviation sector that necessitate stronger enforcement.
“We have protected operators, stood for them, explained for them, been insulted for them, and supported them because it is the right thing to do. The majority of flight disruptions are not caused by the airlines, but recent events justify the need for heavier ramifications where there is recurrent inefficiency,” Achimugu stated.
He highlighted that airlines benefit from government support and policy initiatives, including measures introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Honourable Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, SAN, and the Director-General of the NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo. “The least expectation of reciprocity is for remarkable improvements to reflect in flight operations and other aspects,” he added.
Achimugu identified lapses in communication during delays, poor passenger handling, and non-compliance with regulations such as HOTAC and First Needs Compensation as major contributors to passenger unrest at airport terminals. He referenced a precedent in the United States, where JetBlue was fined $2 million for chronic flight delays, as an example of the type of regulatory action that could be adopted in Nigeria.
He explained that the ongoing policy review by the NCAA aims to secure prosecutorial powers for the Authority, enabling it to enforce compliance more effectively and impose sanctions on both airlines and passengers when necessary.
“We are the regulatory authority and should have prosecutorial powers so that enforcement is more within our control. Why do we have penalties for unruly passenger behaviour in our regulations when we cannot enforce them? There are gaps,” Achimugu wrote.
He also emphasised the strategic role of aviation in President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, describing the sector as a key driver of tourism, international trade, and other development indices. Achimugu added that the NCAA has gained international recognition, with several countries seeking its technical assistance in developing consumer protection units.