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The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has issued a clarification regarding the recent sanctions imposed on five airlines, emphasizing that these actions were taken in response to consumer protection violations rather than safety concerns.
Two weeks ago, Michael Achimugu, the NCAA’s Director of Consumer Protection and Public Affairs, warned that airlines failing to process passenger refunds within the designated timeframe outlined in Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023 would face penalties.
Following this, the NCAA announced enforcement actions against Royal Air Maroc, Ethiopian Airways, Air Peace, Arik Air, and Aero Contractors.
In response to the sanctions, Allen Onyema, Chairman of Air Peace, acknowledged that some delays in refund payments had occurred within his finance team.
He expressed his dissatisfaction with this oversight, affirming that it contradicts his commitment to passenger convenience. Onyema accepted the NCAA’s enforcement action and pledged to enhance the airline’s response time to refund requests.
Despite the NCAA’s clear communication, some media outlets have speculated that the sanctions were related to broader operational issues beyond consumer protection.
In a statement, Achimugu reiterated that the enforcement actions were strictly related to consumer protection, stating, “My department is focused on consumer protection issues, not technical matters. It is crucial to understand that we do not sensationalize serious issues.”
Achimugu further emphasized the role NCAA as an impartial regulator, committed to safeguarding the interests of both airline operators and passengers.
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