The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has accused Qatar Airways of violating consumer protection regulations and warned of stiff sanctions against the airline and others found culpable. The warning comes after a series of complaints regarding the poor treatment of Nigerian passengers.
Michael Achimugu, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, said in a statement on Friday that Qatar Airways has consistently failed to comply with Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023, which outlines passenger rights. He described the airline’s conduct as disrespectful to both the Nigerian government and its citizens.
Achimugu cited a recent case in which a Nigerian passenger was arrested and detained for 18 hours in Doha following an unreported allegation by a cabin crew member during a Lagos–US flight. The passenger’s wife, who was with him throughout, suffered severe emotional distress during the ordeal.
According to the NCAA, the passenger was forced to sign a document written only in Arabic and was subsequently denied boarding to his final destination. He eventually had to purchase a new ticket from a different airline, incurring significant financial and reputational losses.
The NCAA also accused Qatar Airways of refusing to attend regulatory meetings and ignoring formal investigations and passenger complaints. Achimugu said such disregard for Nigerian aviation laws would no longer be tolerated.
He emphasized that while airlines respect consumer rights in Europe and other jurisdictions, they must do the same in Nigeria. “When bilateral air service agreements are signed, they must be honoured by both parties,” he said.
In addition to Qatar Airways, the NCAA disclosed that Royal Air Maroc and Saudi Air have been cautioned for similar infractions and may also face sanctions if they fail to comply with regulatory directives.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to protecting passenger rights and warned that any airline operating in Nigeria must comply fully with local aviation laws or face severe penalties.